Hurricanes shut out Senators

Carolina opened its playoff run by smothering Ottawa in a 2-0 win Saturday, with Frederik Andersen stopping 22 shots in Raleigh. (nhl.com) Logan Stankoven scored at 2:11 of the second period, and Taylor Hall added the insurance goal later in the game. Jackson Blake had two assists, and Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for Ottawa. (nhl.com) The game turned on Andersen’s work in the third period. A Drake Batherson rebound was first ruled a goal, then wiped out on review when officials determined the puck never fully crossed the line, and Andersen followed with another stop on Brady Tkachuk at the top of the crease. (espn.com) Ottawa pressed late with a 6-on-4 advantage for most of the final 2 1/2 minutes after pulling Ullmark during a power play, but Carolina finished the shutout. The win gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series. (espn.com) This matchup opened the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Carolina entered it as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes finished the regular season 53-22-7 for 113 points. (nhl.com; espn.com) Ottawa arrived as the East’s second wild card after a 44-27-11 regular season. The Senators are back in the postseason for a second straight year after ending a seven-year playoff drought in 2025. (espn.com; abc11.com) The tone was set almost immediately. Captains Jordan Staal and Brady Tkachuk fought three seconds after the opening faceoff, sending both teams into a game with hard hits, blocked shots and little open ice. (espn.com) Carolina chose Andersen over Brandon Bussi in net, and coach Rod Brind’Amour said experience “won out.” Andersen’s shutout was the sixth of his playoff career. (espn.com; nhl.com) Game 2 is Monday, April 20, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, where Carolina can take a 2-0 series lead before the series shifts to Ottawa. (nhl.com)