Hurricanes Dominate Senators in Game 1: Staal Leads the Way, Andersen Shuts Down Ottawa

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes announced their arrival in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a commanding 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round, showcasing the disciplined, two-way hockey that has defined their franchise under head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Jordan Staal, the veteran captain, embodied the “right way” to win — contributing offensively, anchoring the defense, and setting the tone for a team effort that left Ottawa reeling.

Staal’s leadership was evident from the opening faceoff. He logged over 22 minutes of ice time, won critical faceoffs in the defensive zone, and registered an assist on the Hurricanes’ first goal — a slick backhand pass that set up Seth Jarvis for a one-timer past Ottawa goaltender Joonas Korpisalo at 12:47 of the first period. The goal came after a sustained offensive zone cycle that wore down the Senators’ top pairing, a microcosm of Carolina’s strategy: wear them down, then strike.

“Jordan’s been our compass all season,” said Brind’Amour postgame. “He doesn’t need flashy stats to impact the game. He wins battles, makes the smart play, and gets the puck to our skilled guys. That’s how we win.”

The Hurricanes’ second goal came midway through the second period when Sebastian Aho pounced on a loose puck after a Senators’ turnover in the neutral zone, firing a wrist shot past Korpisalo’s glove side. It was the 17th playoff goal of Aho’s career, and it came on a shift where he logged over 25 minutes — a testament to Carolina’s relentless forecheck and commitment to puck possession.

But the story of the night was goaltender Frederik Andersen. The 34-year-old Dane stopped all 22 shots he faced, recording his first playoff shutout since 2021 and his third career postseason whitewash. Andersen, acquired by Carolina in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer, has been a model of consistency all season, and his performance in Game 1 silenced any lingering doubts about his playoff mettle.

“Frederik was incredible,” said Staal. “He saw everything, controlled his rebounds, and gave us the confidence to push forward. When your goalie plays like that, you know you’ve got a chance every night.”

The Senators, meanwhile, struggled to generate sustained offense. Ottawa managed just 18 shots on Andersen, with their best chance coming late in the third period when Tim Stützle broke in on a partial breakaway — only to be denied by Andersen’s pad save. Ottawa’s top line of Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, and Stützle combined for zero points and was held to a combined -3 rating.

Ottawa’s woes were compounded by an early injury to defenseman Artem Zub, who left the game in the first period after taking a hit from Hurricanes’ forward Martin Necas. Zub did not return, and the Senators were forced to rely on their sixth and seventh defensemen for the remainder of the contest — a significant blow to a blue line already missing injured veteran Erik Gustafsson.

“Losing Zub hurts,” said Senators coach Jacques Martin. “He’s a big-minute guy for us, and we’ll need to adjust. But we can’t produce excuses. We didn’t generate enough, and we didn’t compete hard enough in the trenches. That’s on us.”

The Hurricanes’ victory was built on more than just star power. Their fourth line — composed of Derek Stepan, Jordan Martinook, and Jesper Fast — logged over 15 minutes combined and was instrumental in draining energy from Ottawa’s top six. Carolina out-hit the Senators 38-22 and won 54% of faceoffs, a direct reflection of their emphasis on detail-oriented, championship-caliber play.

Statistically, the Hurricanes dominated in expected goals (xG), posting a 2.41 to 0.68 advantage according to Natural Stat Trick. They controlled 56.3% of shot attempts at 5-on-5 and limited Ottawa to just 15 high-danger chances — the lowest total allowed by Carolina in a playoff game since 2022.

“This is how we want to play,” said Aho. “Not just skilled, but hard. Not just fast, but smart. We’re not relying on one guy to carry us. We’re all in.”

The Hurricanes now hold a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for Thursday night in Raleigh. Ottawa will need to find answers — both tactically and emotionally — if they hope to extend their season beyond the first round. For Carolina, the message is clear: the “right way” isn’t just a phrase. It’s a blueprint.

Key Takeaways

• Jordan Staal led by example: Assist, defensive dominance, and leadership earned him first-star honors.
• Frederik Andersen delivered a statement shutout: 22 saves, first playoff shutout since 2021, and a vital confidence boost for the team.
• Carolina’s depth overwhelmed Ottawa: Four lines contributed, and the Hurricanes out-worked Ottawa in every facet of the game.
• Artem Zub’s injury is a significant blow: Ottawa loses a top-four defenseman early, thinning an already depleted blue line.
• Advanced stats back up the eye test: Carolina dominated in xG, shot share, and high-danger chances, reflecting a complete team performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Hurricanes vs. Senators Game 1?

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 2-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round on April 20, 2024, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.

Who scored for the Hurricanes in Game 1?

Seth Jarvis scored the first goal at 12:47 of the first period, assisted by Jordan Staal. Sebastian Aho added the second goal at 10:12 of the second period, unassisted on a rush chance after a Senators’ turnover.

How many saves did Frederik Andersen make in Game 1?

Frederik Andersen made 22 saves on 22 shots faced, recording his first playoff shutout since 2021 and his third career postseason shutout.

Was Artem Zub injured in Game 1?

Yes, Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub left the game in the first period after a hit from Carolina’s Martin Necas and did not return. He suffered an upper-body injury, and his status for Game 2 is day-to-day.

What does “the right way” indicate in the context of the Hurricanes’ play?

“The right way” refers to the Hurricanes’ emphasis on disciplined, two-way hockey: winning battles, making smart plays, contributing from all four lines, and relying on strong goaltending and defensive structure — not just individual brilliance — to win games.