"Twice the Fun (and Anxiety)": 2025-26 Postseason Round 1, Game 2: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators

After getting off to an excellent start with their win on Saturday afternoon, there was no room for the Carolina Hurricanes to become complacent. While they won the game, they needed two goals from their second line and a perfect performance from Frederik Andersen in the net to get it done. A win this time of year is great, regardless of the way it came to be, but they needed more from everyone else in the lineup to make sure they made it two. The Senators were certain to come out hungry after being shut out. It would be up to the Canes to match their hunger and tenacity, while staying within themselves and playing their game.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (6:31-PP)- Logan Stankoven (2) (Taylor Hall (2) & Jackson Blake (3))

2nd Period

CAR (7:50)- Sebastian Aho (1) (Jordan Staal (1))

OTT (10:47)- Drake Batherson (1) (Jake Sanderson (1))

OTT (16:40)- Dylan Cozens (1) (Ridly Greig (1) & Jake Sanderson (2))

3rd Period

None

Overtime

None

2nd Overtime

CAR (13:53)- Jordan Martinook (1) (Nikolaj Ehlers (1) & K'Andre Miller (1))

My Thoughts

I, like many Hurricanes fans, felt this game should've ended during the first overtime on Mark Jankowski's goal. The ruling of Jordan Staal possessing but not controlling the puck is an explanation that feels very subjective. I am all for games ending in the right way according to the rules, so I probably shouldn't be whining about a play that ultimately didn't matter in the outcome of the game. Still, it was a very weird call for the league to be making at that juncture. Maintaining Jordan Martinook's penalty shot only added to the confusion. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter, so we should just move on.

Regardless of where you stand on the overturned goal, the winning goal felt like vindication. As they say, "puck don't lie," and the Canes got what they probably should have gotten a period prior. Martinook had the game on his stick with his penalty shot, but he couldn't get it past Linus Ullmark. I'm almost certain that it's because he didn't have a massive human standing in front of the net to screen the netminder. With Jordan Staal standing at the top of the crease, K'Andre Miller and Nikolaj Ehlers played catch before Ehlers found Martinook in the slot for the game-winning goal. Not a bad way to get some redemption if you're Martinook, putting the game away for good.

Everything that happened tonight was allowed to happen because of two more excellent starts by Frederik Andersen and Linus Ullmark, who've been among the best players for either team through two games. I think Ullmark has a case for being the better of the two, but the margin is extremely thin. Ullmark made a few outstanding stops in regulation to prevent the Canes from getting the go-ahead goal at numerous points. The Senators slowly started to wrestle momentum away in the third, and it carried into overtime, where Andersen made his biggest stop of the game, flashing his pad on Brady Tkachuk. Andersen was also bailed out by the iron a few times tonight. Both goalies have been phenomenal thus far, with each only allowing one "bad" goal through two games. I don't think these teams could ask for anything else between the pipes.

It's almost remarkable that the Canes have managed this 2-0 start without major contributions from some of their top players. Yes, Sebastian Aho scored a goal tonight. Yes, Ehlers got the primary assist on the winner. However, Andrei Svechnikov is yet to find the scoresheet. Neither has Seth Jarvis. A big part of that might also be that some of Ottawa's heaviest hitters, namely Tkachuk and Stutzle, also haven't recorded a point. The Canes did their job by defending home ice during the first two games. Now, it's Ottawa's turn to respond in Canada. If tonight is any indication, these next two will be just as tough, if not tougher.

First Star of the Game: Jordan Martinook

We love a good redemption story around these parts. While Frederik Andersen has a legitimate claim after stopping 37 shots, I have to give it to Jordan Martinook. He was playing a good game before his penalty shot in overtime, but getting the game-winner in overtime cemented his status here. Martinook tied the team high with seven shots in the game, though no shot was more important than the final one.

Around the League

Pittsburgh-Philadelphia: After holding on for the win in Game 1, Dan Vladar stood on his head in Game 2, shutting out the Penguins, 3-0, to win both games against the rival and take a commanding 2-0 series lead home with them to Philly. (PHI 2-0)

Buffalo-Boston: It looked as if the return of postseason hockey to Buffalo was going to be a dud, but four goals in just over 6:30 in the third period helped propel the Sabres to a stunning Game 1 win on Sunday. (BUF 1-0)

Tampa Bay-Montreal: Power plays ruled the day in Game 1 on Sunday, and it was the Canadiens who got the last laugh after Juraj Slafkovsky completed his hat trick in overtime with his third PPG to stun the Bolts. (MTL 1-0)

Next Up: Game 3 is on Thursday night in Ottawa at 7:30 pm, like tonight. Game 4 will be on Saturday afternoon at 3 pm.