Carolina Hurricanes Sweep Ottawa Senators to Advance in NHL Playoffs
The Carolina Hurricanes completed a four-game sweep of the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference First Round with a 4-2 victory in Game 4 on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The win made the Hurricanes the first team to advance to the second round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.
Stankoven Delivers Go-Ahead Goal on Power Play
Logan Stankoven scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period, giving Carolina a 2-1 lead. The goal came on the power play when K’Andre Miller’s shot from the right point banked off the complete boards and found Stankoven on the left side, where he buried the rebound from a sharp angle at 9:10. Stankoven finished the series with four goals, one in each game.
Aho Seals Victory with Pair of Empty-Net Goals
Sebastian Aho added two empty-net goals in the final minutes to secure the win. He first made it 3-1 at 17:38, then extended the lead to 4-2 at 18:45 after Dylan Cozens had pulled Ottawa within one goal at 18:09. Aho’s two goals gave him a multi-point performance in the clinching game.
Hurricanes Execute Strong Defensive and Special Teams Play
Carolina’s success in the series came from strong play without the puck, effective shot blocking, and disciplined checking. Aho praised the team’s execution, noting they gave Ottawa little room and handled their emotions well throughout the series. The Hurricanes’ special teams were key, with Stankoven’s power-play goal proving decisive.
Senators Unable to Generate Sustained Offense
Despite efforts to rally, the Ottawa Senators were unable to obtain their offense on track against the Hurricanes’ structured defensive approach. Ottawa managed just two goals in the game and struggled to create high-quality scoring chances throughout the series.
Hurricanes Become First Team to Advance to Round Two
With the sweep, the Hurricanes became the first team in the 2026 NHL Playoffs to advance to the second round. They will await the winner of the other Eastern Conference first-round series as they continue their postseason push.