For the first time in four years, the Carolina Hurricanes won't have to worry about the Florida Panthers or the New York Rangers knocking them out of the postseason. However, it doesn't mean that they're the heir apparent to the Eastern Conference throne as the postseason begins on Saturday. Their first-round matchup against the Ottawa Senators is the toughest matchup they could've fallen into.
For the top team in the conference and the second-best overall during the regular season, the Canes have seven years of unmet expectations and "unable to get over the hump" narrative to try to squash. Not having their usual roadblocks in front of them adds more pressure this postseason. The real question is whether they'll crack under the pressure or break through the expectations.
On the Other Side: Ottawa Senators
Season Series: The Hurricanes opened the season series with a 4-1 win in Ottawa in January, a dominant performance for the road group. The lone meeting in Raleigh before the Olympic break was tight, but Jordan Staal broke a tie late in the third for a 4-3 win. The Senators' lone win came earlier this month, a 6-3 win that handed the Canes their final regulation loss of the season.
After missing the postseason for seven straight seasons following their loss to the Penguins in the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, the Ottawa Senators have qualified for the postseason for the second season in a row. Last year, they nearly fought back from a 3-0 deficit but fell short in six games against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While the Senators finished as the second Wild Card team, they were sixth in the conference in points, improving on their total from last season to finish with 99. It's their most points in over a decade. They are an incredibly gifted team offensively, finishing in the Top 10 in goals, goals per game, and on the power play.
This is a group that can pose a serious threat to the Canes as the top seed in the East. They're fast. They hit hard. They score a lot. The Senators will be a major force to contend with. If the Canes take their foot off the gas for a second, they could be in for a long series. Don't expect this series to be nearly as one-sided as some of the others of recent memory have been.
What to Watch in Game 1
Who sets the tone early: Under Rod Brind'Amour, the Hurricanes have a reputation for being a very good team in the opening round. They've won at least one series in each of their seven postseason appearances since 2019, but the challenges they've faced lately in the 1st Round pale in comparison to what the Ottawa Senators can provide.
That's why their start on Saturday is so important. Having to play from behind in a game is hard enough, but it can feel like a mountain to overcome in the playoffs. The Canes need to get out in front of this game in every imaginable way, though especially on the scoreboard. I'm looking for the Staal line to be immediate difference makers.
The battle between the pipes: By all accounts, it appears that Game 1 will see Frederik Andersen and Linus Ullmark in the nets for their respective teams, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise. While both of these teams feature plenty of scoring depth, this could easily be a series won between the pipes, whether it be through a standout performance or genuinely inept play.
There is cause for skepticism from both parties. Ullmark has a postseason save percentage of .887 and has never won a series. His first two postseason starts came in the 2022 1st Round as a Bruin against the Canes. He allowed eight goals in two games and was replaced by Jeremy Swayman for the duration. Ottawa's six-game loss to Toronto last season was the first time he'd played a full series.
As for Andersen, this was arguably his worst regular season on record. He set career-worsts in GAA and save percentage. He was not having a good year until his stint in Milan helped to turn the ship around. Andersen has been better down the stretch, including excellent starts in Chicago and Utah. He also has a history of turning it on in the playoffs. The Canes are hoping he can do it again.
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