NHL Playoff Odds and Betting Tips: Hurricanes at Senators

The Carolina Hurricanes have won at least one Stanley Cup playoff round in five consecutive seasons and advanced to the Eastern Conference final twice in that span. However despite all their success they haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Final adding to their urgency.

The Canes took care of business on home ice taking the first two games of their opening round series with Ottawa and can take a commanding lead with a Game 3 win on Thursday. Jordan Martinook was the Game 2 hero, netting the winner in double overtime.

Hurricanes at Senators Preview

Game 3 of the first round Stanley Cup playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators will be played on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with the game airing on TBS.

Public Betting Odds Factors

• Playoff hockey is typically more physical and tight checking with goals more difficult to come by. So far this series has proven that. In three regular season meetings the Canes and Sens averaged 7 goals a game. There have been a total of 7 goals scored in the first two games with both cashing the UNDER on the NHL Playoff betting line.

• Carolina ended the regular season with 9 more wins and 14 more points than the Senators while taking two of the three meetings during the year.

• Ottawa needs to find its offense after getting shutout in Game 1 and scoring 2 goals in 4 ½ periods of Game 2. They are capable of finishing, as they were 8th in the NHL with 3.35 goals per game during the regular season. Leading scorer Tim Stutzle, who had 34 goals and 49 assists during the season, is pointless in 2 games.

• The Hurricanes have been a first round dynamo over the last five postseasons winning every series while boasting a 20-9 record. Since the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs and including this year they are 10-2 in the opening round cashing the UNDER in eight of those games.

• Under Rod Brind’Amour the Canes have been one of the stronger defensive teams in the NHL. They had the 5th best goals against average during the season backed by rookie Brandon Bussi. Veteran Frederik Andersen has gotten the nod in the first 2 games despite having a 3.05 GAA and .874 SV% in 35 regular season games.

• Anderson is a solid playoff performer with a career 2.35 GAA and .915 SV% in 87 career postseason starts. Though he’s never played in a Stanley Cup final, Anderson owns a 48-35 career postseason record.

Hurricanes at Senators Predictions

• Ottawa won its last 4 home games and went 9-2 in its last 11 games on home ice, so the change of scenery will be a boost to their chances. One of the victories in that streak was a 6-3 decision over the Canes earlier this month when they beat Andersen 5 times. Ottawa will be in desperation mode and they have the players to be more effective offensively.

• Special teams play a larger role in the playoffs when the margin is thin. Carolina had a major advantage during the regular season and has had the better of the series. The Canes had the 4th best power play during the season and have the only man-advantage goal of the series. They were also 11th killing penalties and led the NHL with 12 shorthanded goals.

Hurricanes at Senators Betting Tips

• Early playoff success in recent years hasn’t led to Carolina competing for a Stanley Cup. The Canes are hoping to change the narrative and this group could be the most balanced squad they’ve had in recent years.

• Ottawa went 23-12-6 on home ice during the season and closed on a heater giving them something to grasp as they aim to make this a series.

• The Senators continued a trend in this series from the end of the regular year. They played UNDER the total in 5 of their last 8 regular season games and cashed the OVER in each of the first 2 games against the Canes.

Hurricanes at Senators Head to Head and Key Stats

• Carolina won 2 of 3 regular season meetings though they had just a plus-1 goal differential. The Canes have won 4 of the last 5 encounters and 7 of the past 10 games with the UNDER 6-4 in those matchups.

• The Canes have won 3 of the last 5 matchups in Ottawa scoring 23 goals in those matchups. The teams averaged 8 goals a game in that stretch going OVER the NHL betting total in 3 of the last 4 contests in Canada’s capital.