The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Ottawa Senators in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 3:00 PM EDT. The Hurricanes are coming off a historic regular season, finishing second in franchise history for wins and points, and scoring the most goals ever. They secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time. The Senators, who clinched their playoff spot last Saturday after defeating the New York Islanders, face a tough challenge against the Hurricanes. In goal, the Hurricanes have not confirmed their starter, but Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi have been in contention. Andersen has a save percentage of .874 this season, while Bussi boasts .894. For the Senators, Linus Ullmark, with a save percentage of .891, is expected to start. The Hurricanes' power play is strong at 24.9%, ranking 4th in the league, while the Senators sit at 24.0%. This matchup is significant as it marks the first time since 2006 that the Hurricanes will face a Canadian team in the playoffs.