The big picture

Carolina Hurricanes come in 1st on the ladder; Ottawa Senators are 11th. Carolina Hurricanes have the higher position to protect.

Carolina Hurricanes are 16–6 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 4 goals for and 2.5 against.

Ottawa Senators are 11–11 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3 goals for and 3.3 against.

Form

Carolina Hurricanes have won four of their last five and most recently beat New York Islanders 5–3.

Ottawa Senators have won two of their last five and most recently beat Buffalo Sabres 2–1.

Head to head

These sides have met 55 times on our records since 2009: Carolina Hurricanes 36, Ottawa Senators 19.

Last time out (2025-26, Postseason), Carolina Hurricanes won 4–2 at Canadian Tire Centre.

Carolina Hurricanes have won the last four against Ottawa Senators.

Biggest margin between these two: Carolina Hurricanes by 6 goals in 2019-20 (8–2).

Players to watch

For Carolina Hurricanes, watch Logan Stankoven (0.7 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026-27) and Sebastian Aho (0.5 goals a game, 16 assists in 2026-27).

For Ottawa Senators, watch Tim Stutzle (0.5 goals a game, 14 assists in 2026-27) and Drake Batherson (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27).

At Lenovo Center

Carolina Hurricanes have won 13 of their last 17 at Lenovo Center.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Carolina Hurricanes go in as clear favourites.