The Ottawa Senators have been eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive year after they failed to sink their teeth into the first round matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in a thoroughly lopsided series. The Canes’ four-game sweep has not only secured them a ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinal, but also etched the team’s name in history.
Senators’ Surrender Catapults Carolina Hurricanes’ Clean Sweep Into Elite Company
The Senators faced yet another premature exit after the Hurricanes dealt a final blow with a 4-2 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night. The series ended in a clean sweep for the Canes after dominating Brady Tkachuk’s Ottawa 11-5 across four games. With that, Carolina is all set to battle in the second round for the eighth consecutive season.
With that, the Hurricanes have become the 20th team in NHL history to never trail in a best-of-7 series. Even though it’s been a while since Carolina reached the finale, the team remains one of the most formidable opponents in the playoffs this year, playing a brand of hockey that rivals the Florida Panthers, who won the last two Stanley Cups.
As Mike Kelly pointed out, the Senators barely stood a chance against the Hurricanes through four games. In terms of OZ possession, slot shots, rush chances, expected goals, and goals, the Canes simply outdueled the Sens.
The games were close, the series was not. Carolina never trailed, sweeping the Senators. The Hurricanes are off to Round 2… pic.twitter.com/mFaiOHXwrx
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) April 25, 2026
Logan Stankoven was the man who stood out once again this time around. When all was said and done, the 23-year-old forward scored four goals in the series, playing a critical role in the Hurricanes’ sweep of Ottawa.
“Just trying to stick together and don’t want to cross the line too much, but just be there for each other. I thought we did a good job for the most part, just handling our emotions. It’s nice to contribute individually, and our line’s been good,” Stankoven said in the aftermath of the Canes’ win (via Zoe Pierce).
The Hurricanes got through the series by showing up as a team. Game 2, for instance, came with its set of challenges, but even through the unbearably long, high-strung showdown, the Canes ultimately persevered to take the win.
Going into the playoffs, there were qualms about the Hurricanes’ goaltending situation. However, Frederik Andersen went beyond expectations, earning the praise of head coach Brind’Amour for his exceptional showing against the Senators.
“Consider how well the other guy was playing there in their end, it was a goalie matchup. They were going save for save, and we needed it. Otherwise, this thing could have gone a lot different. It’s probably the best hockey he’s played for us,” D’Amour said of Andersen’s performance. The netminder had a SV% of 1.000, 9.49, .955, and .926 against Ottawa.
The Senators have come a long way from a playoff drought to qualifying for the postseason two years in a row, but have yet to figure out how to make a deep postseason run. This offseason will no doubt be a summer of change in Ottawa, but with a weak free agency class, the Senators will have their work cut out for them.
READ MORE: NHL Trade Rumors: Insider Outlines Chances of Brady Tkachuk Being Traded by Senators
