Preview: Round 1, Game 3 at Ottawa

OTTAWA - The Carolina Hurricanes look to put the Ottawa Senators on the brink of elimination on Thursday when the two teams meet for Game 3 of their first-round 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs series.

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When: Thursday, April 23

Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: TBS, HBO Max, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | **Learn More**

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Series: 2-0 CAR

The Series So Far...

• Game 1: Frederik Andersen turned in a 22-save shutout, backstopping the Canes to a 2-0 victory.
• Game 2: Jordan Martinook played hero, scoring in double overtime to take a 2-0 series lead.

Still Stanky...

• Canes forward Logan Stankoven opened the scoring for a second consecutive game on Monday, giving his team the first lead of the night once again.
• The second-year Hurricane has been red-hot over the last three weeks, recording nine goals in his last 10 games dating back to Mar. 31.
• The Kamloops, B.C. native became the fifth player in team history (since relocation) to open a postseason with goals in the first two games. Only one player in franchise history has ever scored in three straight: Pat Verbeek (1991 w/ HFD).

In Net...

• Tonight's starter has not yet been confirmed. Rod Brind'Amour previously noted that both Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi will likely play during Round 1, but did not indicate what a potential rotation could look like.
• Andersen has gotten the nod in each of the first two contests, posting a shutout in Game 1 and turning aside 37 of 39 shots in Game 2. With two days of rest, it's feasible that the veteran gets the nod again in Game 3. He operated in his usual starter's crease at Wednesday's practice at Lenovo Center.
• Bussi, meanwhile, wrapped up the regular season on a heater, following up his first set of consecutive losses (0-3-0) with a 6-0-1 run and allowing two or fewer goals in four of those wins. If and when he appears this postseason, it'll be his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.
• Pyotr Kochetkov's surprising return to the active roster could add a new dimension to the Canes' crease as the playoffs roll on, but Brind'Amour indicated that, while he is healthy, the Russian backstop was not yet a viable starting option.

On The Other Side...

• Goaltender Linus Ullmark turned in another incredible performance on Monday, including a few 10-bell saves to keep his team in the contest. Despite the losses, MoneyPuck.com, has him ranked as the best goalie in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far.
• The Senators will hope a shift to Canadian Tire Centre will help spark a comeback in the series. Ottawa was among the league's best teams on home ice during the latter half of the season, co-leading the Eastern Conference in wins (9) and points (20) since clubs returned from the Olympic break in February.
• Two days without games were certainly welcomed by both clubs following Monday's marathon, but particularly by Ottawa blueliners Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson, who each logged over 40 minutes TOI in Game 2.
• Part of the reason Chabot and Sanderson shouldered such a heavy load was the absence of top-four defenseman Artem Zub, who sustained an injury in Game 1. Zub did not participate in Ottawa's optional practice on Wednesday, with Head Coach Travis Green mentioning that the Russian may return at some point in this series.
• Elsewhere along the Ottawa blue line, Tyler Kleven may be nearing a return to action after being sidelined since April 2. Kleven skated with the group on Wednesday and would be a boost to his club after averaging a career-high 17:21 TOI per game during the regular season.

Injury Updates...

• The Canes currently do not have any injuries to report.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their WHITE uniforms for the contest. They will wear white for every road game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to practice on Friday. They'll return to action on Saturday for Game 4.
• Next Game: Sunday, April 25 | Round 1, Game 4 at Ottawa | 3:00 p.m. ET | How To Watch
• Next Home Game*: Monday, April 27 | Round 1, Game 5 vs. Ottawa (if necessary) | TBD | How To Watch | Tickets | Parking