Hurricanes brace for stern challenge vs. surging Senators

The Carolina Hurricanes worked all season to secure the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and now they turn their attention to the next phase of the season on Saturday afternoon.

They'll welcome the Ottawa Senators for the opener of the first-round series in Raleigh, N.C.

"We've been eager for this for a long time," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "Once we knew it was official, and we were in a pretty good spot all year, we've got to turn the page now. It goes to being a sprint. We know the season's a marathon, and now all of a sudden you've got to be ready right from the get-go and put your best foot forward."

The Senators hold the eighth seed, but they've been one of the best teams in the NHL the past couple of months. It's the first time these organizations will meet in the postseason.

"They had kind of a tough start to their season, and some interesting things go on, but they've got it covered, top to bottom," Brind'Amour said of the Senators. "It's going to be a huge challenge."

The Senators went 26-12-6 since the beginning of 2026. They're intent on creating more momentum.

"The stuff that every kid dreams about doing is getting an opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup," Ottawa forward Warren Foegele said.

Foegele, a former Carolina player, said he's aware of the playoff atmosphere in Raleigh. He said it's one of the loudest arenas in the NHL, not to mention a playoff-tested team that will appear in the playoffs for the eighth year in a row.

"They play fast, they play aggressive, they're in your face," Foegele said. "They're an experienced team. They've been there."

Carolina has won at least one playoff series in six of the past seven years.

Brind'Amour has been noncommittal regarding the goaltending assignment for the playoff opener between rookie Brandon Bussi and veteran Frederik Andersen.

"They both played really well down the stretch," Brind'Amour said.

Andersen has played in 32 playoff games for the Hurricanes and 85 total postseason contests in his career.

The Senators will turn to goaltender Linus Ullmark, who has won his last four outings. Ottawa's backup is James Reimer, a former Carolina player.

The Hurricanes went 7-1-1 in their last nine games of the regular season, with the regulation loss coming by a 6-3 decision on April 5 at Ottawa. Carolina won the other two regular-season matchups, including 4-3 on Feb. 3 in Raleigh.

Bussi picked up the two victories for the Hurricanes.

Forward Nikolaj Ehlers played all 82 games in his first season with the Hurricanes, racking up a career-high 71 points.

Ottawa's Tim Stutzle posted a team-high 83 points in 80 games.

Foegele scored six goals in 21 games since joining the Senators in a trade from the Los Angeles Kings.

"He's going to be a big part of our group in the playoffs," Ottawa coach Travis Green said.

The Senators played only two road games in April, and now they'll play their first two playoff games away from home. Game 2 is set for Monday night.

--Field Level Media