The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Apr. 17 their schedule for the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they will face the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Game 1 is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Lenovo Center, with tickets currently available.
This series marks the first postseason meeting between Carolina and Ottawa. The Hurricanes enter as the top seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing with a record of 53-22-7 and earning 113 points, while Ottawa qualified as a wild card with a record of 44-27-11 for 99 points. The team is making its eighth consecutive playoff appearance since 2019, setting a franchise record. They are also one of only five teams in National Hockey League history to win a series in seven straight postseasons.
The games will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network and streamed via its app. Mike Maniscalco will provide play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Tripp Tracy and reporter Hanna Yates, while Shane Willis joins Yates for pregame and postgame coverage on Hurricanes LIVE.
According to the official website, notable figures such as Eric Staal and Rod Brind’Amour have been recognized by induction into the Carolina Hurricanes Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to the team. The franchise achieved its most notable milestone by winning the Stanley Cup in 2006 according to official records.
The Lenovo Center serves as home venue for Carolina’s games, offering over 700,000 square feet with multiple seating levels, suites, concession stands, and other amenities according to venue information. It can accommodate up to 20,000 people and hosts more than 150 events each year as reported by arena officials. The organization contributes more than $200 million annually to Raleigh’s local economy through events and community engagement according to economic impact data.
As anticipation builds around this playoff run, fans are encouraged to secure seats early as ticket sales continue.
