NHL futures odds, predictions: Hurricanes will take on Senators in first round of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Hurricanes and Senators are meeting in the postseason for the first time. Carolina won two of the three regular-season meetings between the teams, defeating Ottawa 4-1 and 4-3 while dropping a 6-3 decision.

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The NHL betting odds at the major sportsbooks see the Hurricanes as the favorites in the first-round series, with futures betting odds in the -170 to -190 range. Meanwhile, the Senators are priced from +142 to +155. Learn how to read betting odds here.

Pick: Hurricanes to advance

Brind'Amour basically has split Carolina's goaltending duties this season between first-year netminder Brandon Bussi (39 starts) and veteran Frederik Andersen (35). The crease has often been a sore spot for the Hurricanes in the postseason, as seven different players have made at least three starts for the team during its seven appearances under Brind'Amour. None have been able to provide the consistency needed to win a championship.

The 36-year-old Andersen has been the main man between the pipes each of the last three postseasons but often failed to make big saves when needed and was torched in three of his four starts against Florida in last year's conference final. Therefore, it might be in Brind'Amour's best interest to give the nod to the 27-year-old Bussi, who posted a 31-6-2 record and entered the final two days of the regular season ranked sixth in the NHL with a 2.47 goals-against average.

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Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov will provide much of the offense for the Hurricanes, but they're hoping Nikolaj Ehlers will be the piece that helps them achieve their ultimate goal. The 30-year-old Danish left wing signed a six-year, $51 million contract in July after spending his first 10 NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets and set career highs this season with 45 assists and 71 points.

Drake Batherson had his most productive campaign for the Senators, registering 33 goals and 71 points to finish second on the club in both categories, behind Tim Stutzle (34, 83). But the Hurricanes have much more postseason experience and seemed like a team on a mission this season, and I don't see Ottawa spoiling their plans.

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