Ottawa Senators (44-27-11) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7) April 18, 2026 3:00 pm EDT The Line: Carolina Hurricanes -148 / Ottawa Senators 124; Over/Under: 6.5 (Get latest betting odds)
The Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes meet Saturday in NHL Game 1 at the Lenovo Center. Here’s a Hurricanes vs. Senators Prediction. This article will include a Hurricanes vs. Senators Pick.
The Ottawa Senators recently lost to the Devils and beat the Maple Leafs. The Senators are in the playoffs for the second time in the last nine years. The Senators have won 6 of their last 8 games.
The Ottawa Senators are averaging 3.35 goals per game and are scoring 24 percent of their power play opportunities. Tim Stutzle leads Ottawa with 34 goals, Jake Sanderson has 40 assists and Brady Tkachuk has 221 shots on goal. Defensively, the Ottawa Senators are allowing 2.99 goals per game and are killing 75.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Linus Ullmark has allowed 131 goals on 1,198 shots faced, while Leevi Merilainen has given up 64 goals on 457 shots.
The Carolina Hurricanes recently beat the Islanders and lost to the Flyers. The Hurricanes are in the playoffs for an eighth straight season. The Hurricanes have won 7 of their last 9 games.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.57 goals per game and are scoring on 25 percent of their power play opportunities. Seth Jarvis leads Carolina with 32 goals, Sebastian Aho has 53 assists, and Andrei Svechnikov has 203 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.9 goals per game and are killing 80.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Frederik Andersen has given up 107 goals on 849 shots faced, while Brandon Bussi has allowed 96 goals on 882 shots.
The Senators finished the season on a tear over the last two weeks and come into the playoffs more prepared than last season. It’s tempting to take the more favorable price with a well-rounded team that has an above-average goalie.
With that said, the Canes are far and away more trustworthy given their long playoff runs over the years, and they’ve been great on their home ice. Also, the Canes are one of the best at scoring on the power play and the Senators are at the bottom in power play defense. Special teams are a clear edge for the Hurricanes and how they can win this series. I have to lay the cheap price on the Canes at home.