The Carolina Hurricanes open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, hosting the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Carolina earned the top seed in the Metropolitan Division with 113 points and the best record in the Eastern Conference, while Ottawa qualified as the second Wild Card with 99 points. Game 1 airs on ESPN, with the series also airing on TBS and Max throughout the first round.
Hurricanes vs. Senators: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Hurricanes vs. Senators, via the NHL’s official first round schedule. Games 5 through 7 are if necessary.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Site | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 18 (Fri) | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Ottawa (PNC Arena) | ESPN, SN, OMNI, TVAS |
| 2 | April 20 (Sun) | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Ottawa (PNC Arena) | ESPN2, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
| 3 | April 23 (Wed) | 7:30 p.m. | @ Ottawa (Canadian Tire Centre) | TBS, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 4 | April 25 (Fri) | 3:00 p.m. | @ Ottawa (Canadian Tire Centre) | TBS, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS, OMNI |
| *5 | April 27 (Sun) | TBD | vs. Ottawa | TBD |
| *6 | April 30 (Wed) | TBD | @ Ottawa (Canadian Tire Centre) | TBD |
| *7 | May 2 (Sat) | TBD | vs. Ottawa | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Carolina Hurricanes Playoff FAQ
When do the Carolina Hurricanes start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Carolina Hurricanes open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, hosting the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena. Game 1 begins at 3:00 p.m. ET and airs on ESPN.
Who do the Carolina Hurricanes play in the first round?
The Carolina Hurricanes face the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina earned the top seed in the Metropolitan Division with 113 points, while Ottawa qualified as the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card with 99 points.
Where do the Hurricanes play their 2026 home playoff games?
The Carolina Hurricanes play their 2026 first round home games at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) are scheduled at PNC Arena, which seats approximately 18,680 for hockey.
What TV channels broadcast the Hurricanes-Senators playoff series?
Game 1 airs on ESPN. Game 2 airs on ESPN2. Games 3 and 4 air on TBS and Max. Canadian viewers can watch on SN, CBC, OMNI, and TVAS throughout the series.
How did the Carolina Hurricanes qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
The Carolina Hurricanes qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the top seed in the Metropolitan Division with 113 points, also posting the best record in the Eastern Conference. Carolina drew the second Wild Card, the Ottawa Senators (99 points), in the first round.
NHL Playoff and Other Resources
- Full 2026 NHL Playoff TV Schedule and Game Times
- Interactive Bracket Maker
- 2026-27 NHL Schedule Release Info
