The Carolina Hurricanes finished the regular season atop the Eastern Conference in the National Hockey League (NHL). With a strong regular season complete, Carolina heads to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the eighth consecutive year.

 

Facing the Ottawa Senators in the first round, here is what to expect from the Hurricanes this postseason.

 

Hurricanes offense among NHL’s best 

Carolina produced one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history. The Hurricanes scored 291 goals during the regular season, the No. 2 mark in the NHL. For the first time since the franchise’s days as the Hartford Whalers, Carolina had seven players record 20 or more goals.

 

Center Sebastian Aho led the way with 80 points (27 goals, 53 assists). Left winger Nikolaj Ehlers and right winger Andrei Svechnikov also delivered standout seasons, with Ehlers posting a career-high 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) and Svechnikov finishing with 70 points (31 goals, 39 assists), his best season with Carolina.

 

The Hurricanes’ special teams unit was also effective. Carolina posted a 24.9% power-play percentage, ranking No. 5 in the NHL, while its penalty kill operated at 80.4%, good for No. 11.

 

With this level of offensive production, Carolina should not lack scoring throughout the postseason.

 

Goaltending uncertainty 

One of the biggest questions for Carolina entering the playoffs is its play in net. The Hurricanes have two options for game one against Ottawa.

 

Veteran goalie Frederik Andersen has served as Carolina’s primary starter in recent seasons, but he posted a career-low year with 16 wins in 35 appearances and an 87.4% save percentage, his lowest since entering the league in 2013.

 

The other option is 27-year-old rookie goalie Brandon Bussi, who recorded 31 wins in 39 appearances. However, his performance dipped over the final two months, including an 89.5% save percentage, which ranked No. 33 in the NHL.

 

Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour will have a difficult decision to make, and it would not be surprising to see both goalies used throughout the first round.

 

Breaking down Ottawa

Ottawa secured the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite entering as a lower seed, the Senators present a competitive matchup for Carolina.

 

The Senators ranked No. 8 in goals scored during the regular season and found their form late, recording 26 wins since the start of the new year.

 

Key contributors include goaltender Linus Ullmark, a veteran with postseason experience; center Tim Stützle, who led the team offensively; and captain left winger Brady Tkachuk, who remained a driving force despite dealing with injuries.

 

Cup or bust 

In recent seasons, Carolina has consistently fallen short of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. This year presents another opportunity to break through.

 

The Hurricanes must approach the postseason with a clear championship goal. After finishing atop the Eastern Conference, the expectation is to carry that level of play into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

 

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Courtesy of Carolina Hurricanes

Sustained offensive production will be critical. Even with questions in the net, Carolina’s scoring has consistently carried the team.

 

Home ice advantage could also play a significant role.Since the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Carolina holds a 31-16 record at home. Finishing No. 1 in the Eastern Conference allows the Hurricanes to maintain home ice through at least the Eastern Conference rounds.

 

Carolina opens its first-round series against the Ottawa Senators on April 18 at 3 p.m. on ESPN.