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The Carolina Hurricanes will play the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at 3:00 PM EDT in Raleigh. This marks the postseason kickoff for both teams.
James Guillory-Imagn Images
We’re finally there: the postseason. The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Ottawa Senators at home in Raleigh, officially kicking off the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the first game on the NHL’s list.
The game is scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT.
During the regular season, the Hurricanes had one of their best seasons on record, reaching second in franchise history in both wins and points, scoring the most goals in team history, and taking the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, the Senators battled through an immensely brutal Atlantic Division, managing to clinch their spot in the postseason just last Saturday, doing so with a win over the New York Islanders as the Detroit Red Wings lost to the New Jersey Devils.
I recently went into a deep analysis, with many comparisons and stats between both of these teams, in the Playoff Primer. You can read all about it here!
During the Hurricanes’ two latest practices, Frederik Andersen had the starter’s crease in both. However, after practice Friday, head coach Rod Brind’Amour was tight-lipped on who would get the game 1 start, citing that he had not yet spoken to goaltending coach Paul Schonfelder.
This season, Frederik Andersen has notched a .874 save percentage, with a goals against average of 3.05 across a 16-14-5 record. Additionally, has had a .894 save percentage and a 2.47 goals against average across a 31-6-2 record.
The game starts at 3:00 PM EDT.
The game is being held in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Hurricanes had one of their best seasons, finishing second in franchise history for wins and points, and scoring the most goals in team history.
Details on how to watch the game will typically be available on sports broadcasting networks or the NHL's official website.

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Meanwhile, Linus Ullmark has been the number one man in Ottawa since he was acquired in the 2024 offseason. It is all but certain that he will take the start against the Hurricanes Saturday afternoon. This season, he has managed a save percentage of .891, with a goals against average of 2.73 across a 28-12-8 record. Furthermore, James Reimer will likely serve as his backup goaltender, after having earned a .885 save percentage and a 2.42 goals against average across a 7-4-2 record.
Nikolaj – Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook
K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker
Frederik Andersen / Brandon Bussi
Drake Batherson – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
Linus Ullmark / James Reimer
Carolina Hurricanes power play: 24.9% (4th)
Carolina Hurricanes penalty kill: 80.5% (11th)
Ottawa Senators power play: 24.0% (8th)
Ottawa Senators penalty kill: 75.7% (29th)
The Hurricanes may be able to get help from another goaltender for the postseason in Pyotr Kochetkov, who has missed most of the season after an injury requiring surgery. After a conditioning stint with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, he was recalled and initially the choice in their 82nd game, but was ultimately held off due to a roster issue.
The Wolves are also headed for the playoffs soon, having clinched the second spot in the AHL’s Central Division.
This will be the first time since 2006 that the Hurricanes have faced a Canadian team in the postseason. Then, it was the Edmonton Oilers, whom they defeated in the Stanley Cup Finals.
TV: ESPN, FDSNSO, SN, OMNI, TVAS
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
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