Carolina sweeps Senators, first to advance

The Carolina Hurricanes are the first team into the second round after a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 4 on Saturday completed a first-round sweep. (nhl.com) Logan Stankoven scored the go-ahead power-play goal at 11:23 of the third period, and Sebastian Aho added two empty-net goals to finish with three points. (nhl.com) (espn.com) Taylor Hall opened the scoring for Carolina in the second period, Drake Batherson tied it on an Ottawa power play, and David Perron pulled the Senators level again early in the third before Stankoven answered. (sports.yahoo.com) (nhl.com) The game turned chaotic in the second period, with 11 minor penalties and 36 penalty minutes in all. Carolina killed off eight Ottawa power plays and still left Canadian Tire Centre with a four-game series win. (apnews.com) (newsobserver.com) Carolina outscored Ottawa 11-5 across the series and, according to AP, led for every minute of the four games. Frederik Andersen finished the round with a 1.10 goals-against average and a.955 save percentage, according to Sports Betting Dime. (apnews.com) (sportsbettingdime.com) The Senators called it a tight series anyway. Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk said after the loss that he did not want the season to end, while coach Travis Green said the margins were small despite the sweep. (cbc.ca) (nhl.com) The sweep gives Carolina extra rest while it waits for the winner of Flyers-Penguins in the second round. NHL.com listed that matchup as Carolina’s next opponent path immediately after Game 4. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) Sportsbooks also shortened Carolina’s Stanley Cup price after the sweep. Yahoo Sports listed the Hurricanes at +310 on April 27, behind only Colorado at +230. (sports.yahoo.com) For now, the cleanest line on Carolina’s opening round is simple: four games, four wins, and the first punched ticket to Round 2. (nhl.com)