Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes Predictions & Picks – Hurricanes To Win NHL Playoffs Opener

leigh-copson
3 hours ago
Leigh Copson 3 hours ago
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  • Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes picks for Saturday, April 18
  • Game is taking place at Lenovo Center
  • Preview, predictions, stats & form
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Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes Predictions & Picks

Carolina are tipped to defend home ice in the opening game of the series.

The Hurricanes have been rock solid in first-round matchups at the Lenovo Center in recent years, and no team won more games at home during the 2025/26 regular season.

  • Carolina Hurricanes won a league-high 29 home games this season
  • Carolina Huricanes are 12-1 in their last 13 first-round games played at home
  • Ottawa Senators are 1-3 in their previous 4 road games
  • The Over cashed in 2 of the previous 3 meetings this season

Head To Head

  • Carolina Hurricanes lead the all-time series 67-42-13
  • Ottawa Senators won 6-3 when the two teams last met on April 5

Ottawa Senators Form

Ottawa enter the postseason on a good run of form, having won six of their last eight games to finish the regular season 44-27-11.

DateOppositionW/LScore
Mar-28 at Tampa Bay Lightning L 2-4
Mar-31 at Florida Panthers L 3-6
Apr-02 vs Buffalo Sabres W 4-1
Apr-04 vs Minnesota Wild L 1-4
Apr-05 vs Carolina Hurricanes W 6-3
Apr-07 vs Tampa Bay Lightning W 6-2
Apr-09 vs Florida Panthers W 5-1
Apr-11 at New York Islanders W 3-0
Apr-12 at New Jersey Devils L 3-4 OT
Apr-15 vs Toronto Maple Leafs W 3-1

Carolina Hurricanes Form

Carolina go into the opening game of this season in good form too, having won seven of the previous nine to end the regular season 53-22-7.

DateOppositionW/LScore
Mar-29 vs Montreal Canadiens L 1-3
Mar-31 at Columbus Blue Jackets W 5-2
Apr-02 vs Columbus Blue Jackets W 5-1
Apr-04 vs New York Islanders W 4-3
Apr-05 at Ottawa Senators L 3-6
Apr-07 vs Boston Bruins W 6-5 OT
Apr-09 at Chicago Blackhawks W 7-2
Apr-11 at Utah Mammoth W 4-1
Apr-13 at Philadelphia Flyers L 2-3
Apr-14 at New York Islanders W 2-1

Verdict

Ottawa will be no pushover, but it is tough to oppose Carolina at home in the playoffs.

The Hurricanes were rock solid at the Lenovo Center all season long, and they have lost just once in their last 13 first-round games played at home.

Best Bet1: Carolina Win 3-Way Moneyline @105.00 at Stake.us - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Over 5.5 Total Goals @-135.14 at Stake.us - 2 Units
Carolina Win
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Bet at Stake.us
Over 5.5
Total Goals
@-135.14 - 2 Units
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Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI, VT, NJ, DE, WV, PA, RI & MD.

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