Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/18/26

The Stanley Cup playoffs get underway on Saturday afternoon as the Carolina Hurricanes will be hosting the Ottawa Senators to lead things off. As winners of the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes will have the home ice advantage in this series. This is important because they are were tied for the most regular season wins on home ice by any team. Their record at the Lenovo Center this season was 29-10-2. These teams split the regular season series, each winning one game. The Senators are among the most popular picks to pull off a first-round upset. However, I am still worried about their defensive play and goaltending. After all Linus Ullmark went through this season, he finished very strong. If this solid play continues into the playoffs, the Senators stand a real chance to beat the Hurricanes. Ullmark has not been good in the playoffs throughout his career, he has a 5-10-0 record in 15 starts, with a 3.28 GAA and .885 SVP. The Senators will not be able to score their way through this series as the Hurricanes were the fifth-best defensive team in the league during the regular season, averaging 2.88 goals against per game.

The Hurricanes play a very fast and aggressive forechecking style of game that I think is going to wear down the Senators defense as this series progresses. I expect some nerves in the first game from Ullmark and the Senators, and the veteran lineup of the Hurricanes should be able to capitalize on this. Give me the Hurricanes to get it done in game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Senators vs. Hurricanes prediction: Hurricanes ML (-150) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.