Andersen's Shutout Leads Hurricanes Past Senators in Playoff Opener

Veteran goaltender makes clutch saves as Carolina takes Game 1 of first-round series

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:23am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey goaltender making an athletic, mid-air save, with the puck suspended in the air and the geometric planes of the rink surrounding the action, conveying the drama and intensity of the playoff moment.Andersen's acrobatic stop preserves Hurricanes' lead in playoff openerToday in Raleigh

Frederik Andersen made 22 saves to record his sixth career playoff shutout, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their first-round NHL playoff series. Andersen came up with several key stops, including a highlight-reel save on Drake Batherson in the third period to preserve the one-goal lead.

Why it matters

The Hurricanes entered the playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and Andersen's strong performance in net was crucial in helping the team take the series opener. The Senators had surged late in the regular season to earn a wild-card spot, so this was an important early test for both teams.

The details

Andersen, a 36-year-old veteran, rewarded coach Rod Brind'Amour's faith in him with a stellar outing. He held firm as the Senators generated intermittent scoring chances, then made a pair of highlight-reel saves in the third period to keep Ottawa off the scoreboard. The Hurricanes were able to protect a 1-0 lead thanks to Andersen's heroics.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Frederik Andersen

A 36-year-old Danish goaltender who recorded his sixth career playoff shutout for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Rod Brind'Amour

The head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, who relied on Andersen's veteran experience in net to open the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's top seed.

Drake Batherson

A forward for the Ottawa Senators who had a potential game-tying goal disallowed in the third period due to Andersen's highlight-reel save.

Brady Tkachuk

The captain of the Ottawa Senators, who was also denied by Andersen in the third period as the Hurricanes protected their one-goal lead.

Taylor Hall

A forward for the Carolina Hurricanes who praised Andersen's performance, saying the goaltender was 'there' when the team needed him most.

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What they’re saying

“Of course you're looking for goalies to make saves at the right time, and that's the right time. And that's what he did tonight. Like, I don't even know how you explain it. That was exactly the game, right there. And he was up for the challenge tonight.”

— Rod Brind'Amour, Head Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

“I had a pretty good idea, you never know I think when they slow it down obviously from those angles. I had a good feeling that my glove wasn't really across the goal line.”

— Frederik Andersen

“It gives us energy, it gives us a win, really. We don't want to have him tested as much as he was. Their PP started to figure us out by the end of the game. But he was there.”

— Taylor Hall, Forward, Carolina Hurricanes

What’s next

Game 2 of the best-of-7 series will be played on Monday, April 21, 2026 in Raleigh.

The takeaway

Andersen's veteran poise and clutch saves in net were the difference-maker for the Hurricanes in Game 1, as the team's top-seeded status and playoff experience proved valuable against the upstart Senators. Carolina will look to build on this momentum as the series continues.