The Ottawa Senators begin the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena in Raleigh. 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. Game 1 airs on ESPN, with the series also airing on TBS and Max throughout the first round.
Senators vs. Hurricanes: First Round Schedule
Here’s the complete first round schedule for the Senators vs. Hurricanes, 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. | @ Carolina (PNC Arena) | ESPN, SN, OMNI, TVAS |
| 2 | April 20 (Sun) | 7:30 p.m. | @ Carolina (PNC Arena) | ESPN2, SNE, SNO, SNP, CBC, TVAS |
| 3 | April 23 (Wed) | 7:30 p.m. | vs. Carolina (Canadian Tire Centre) | TBS, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS |
| 4 | April 25 (Fri) | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Carolina (Canadian Tire Centre) | TBS, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS, OMNI |
| *5 | April 27 (Sun) | TBD | @ Carolina | TBD |
| *6 | April 30 (Wed) | TBD | vs. Carolina (Canadian Tire Centre) | TBD |
| *7 | May 2 (Sat) | TBD | @ Carolina | TBD |
* If necessary. Game times and TV assignments for Games 5-7 are TBD and will be updated as the series progresses.
Ottawa Senators Playoff FAQ
When do the Ottawa Senators start the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The Ottawa Senators open the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, April 18, 2026, on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes. Game 1 begins at 3:00 p.m. ET at PNC Arena and airs on ESPN.
Who do the Ottawa Senators play in the first round?
The Ottawa Senators face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina claimed 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 Senators play their 2026 home playoff games?
The Ottawa Senators play their 2026 first round home games at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Games 3, 4, and 6 (if necessary) are scheduled at Canadian Tire Centre, which seats approximately 18,652 for hockey.
What TV channels broadcast the Senators-Hurricanes 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 Ottawa Senators qualify for the 2026 playoffs?
The Ottawa Senators qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the second Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference, finishing the regular season with 99 points. Ottawa drew the Metropolitan Division’s top seed, the Carolina Hurricanes (113 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
