Hurricanes Host Senators in Game 1 at Lenovo Center Sport By lines April 18, 2026 The Carolina Hurricanes host the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round on April 18, 2026. Puck drops at 3:00 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center. Andersen Gets the Nod as Carolina Opens at Home Head coach Rod Brind’Amour named Frederik Andersen the Game 1 starter. Andersen enters his 86th career playoff appearance on April 18. Ottawa counters with Linus Ullmark in net. Ullmark stopped 25 of 28 shots in Ottawa’s 6-3 win over Carolina in their last regular season meeting. Carolina finished 53-22-7 and won the Metropolitan Division title. Ottawa went 44-27-11 and earned the second Eastern wild card. Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators meet in the playoffs for the first time ever. Carolina led the NHL with seven players scoring 20 or more goals in 2025-26. The Ottawa penalty kill ranked 29th at 75.7 percent on the season. Ottawa won 53.7 percent of faceoffs. Carolina won 48.9 percent. Related Sports Coverage Flyers at Penguins: Game 1 Renews Pennsylvania Rivalry Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 1: Jokic Tests Edwards Source: NHL.com Game 1 Preview, April 18, 2026.
