Confident ‘Canes Sweep Ottawa, First to Advance to Round 2 of Postseason

Throughout their four-game sweep of the Ottawa Senators in Round 1 of the NHL postseason, the Carolina Hurricanes scored first in every game.

Ridly Greig #71 of the Ottawa Senators battles for puck possession against Shayne Gostisbehere #4, Logan Stankoven #22 and Taylor Hall #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on April 23, 2026. Tim Austen/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

Round 2 of the NHL’s Stanley Cup postseason can’t come soon enough for the Carolina Hurricanes.

When you’re on a roll like Carolina, momentum is your friend. Unfortunately for Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour, his players, and Raleighites, patience is a virtue. Tickets went on sale on Monday for Round 2. The ice remains cold, and the seats inside the Lenovo Center, in Raleigh, North Carolina, are empty. Who and when the Metropolitan Division champions and top seed in the Eastern Conference are paired with next remains on hold for Carolina.