How the Hurricanes Can Have Success in Round 2 Regardless of Opponent

While the Carolina Hurricanes are still waiting for their second-round opponent, there are some positive takeaways from their Round 1 sweep of the Ottawa Senators. That said, there are some facets to the game that need to turn the corner to get to where they need to be for Round 2 and beyond. Regardless of their opponent, this is how the Hurricanes can succeed in the next round.

Power Play Returns to Form to Match Penalty Kill Dominance

The Hurricanes had the fourth-best power play heading into the playoffs, but through the first round, they went 2-for-15 (13.3%). It currently puts them 12th out of the 16 playoff teams, ahead of the Utah Mammoth (11.1%), Colorado Avalanche (9.1%), Senators (4.8%), and the Buffalo Sabres (0%). On the flip side, they have the second-best penalty kill (95.2%), only behind the Boston Bruins (100%).

While they got power-play goals when needed the most, the Hurricanes are hoping to see it turn the corner against the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 2. During the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Hurricanes scored 10 power-play goals after only having three from January 2025 to the start of the postseason. This time around, they had a top-five power play heading into the playoffs and need it to get back to that level.

Compared to the Senators’ 21 opportunities, the Hurricanes only had 15. However, there were some power-play chances that needed more urgency, and they will need it regardless of who they face. The Flyers are 10th in the playoffs on the penalty kill (82.4%), while the Penguins are fifth (86.7%). For the Hurricanes, they will need it to be clicking on all cylinders to avoid close scoring games.

The Hurricanes will need to get Jordan Staal back on the top power-play unit, as they did in December 2025. They eventually went back to that in Game 4 against the Senators, but they will need to get Staal back on that plan for Game 1 in Round 2. While that is not the only reason for the change, it’s one to help move the needle to having both the power play and penalty kill rolling at the same time.

Top Line Gets Rolling

The second line was one of the main cogs for the Hurricanes’ success in Round 1. That said, they will be looking at their top line to take control heading into Round 2. To be fair to the top line, they were neutralized just like the Senators’ top guys. Now it’s about breaking out and making an impression in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Sebastian Aho scored three goals in Round 1, with two of them coming in Game 4. He has success scoring in the postseason, tallying seven last season and four the previous postseason. Over the course of his career, he has 37 goals and 88 points in 93 games. Regardless of it being the Penguins or the Flyers, Aho knows when to clutch up and score series momentum goals, and the Hurricanes will need it in Round 2.

While Seth Jarvis did tally two assists, both coming on the Aho goals in Game 4, all eyes will be on the Winnipeg native to make his impact felt this postseason. He had a total of five shots in the four-game sweep of the Senators, and it felt like he was battling something. However, Jarvis has 19 goals and 45 points in 59 playoff games; he knows how to flip the switch and take control of a series. After scoring 30-plus goals in three straight seasons, it’s only a matter of time for Jarvis to make some noise this postseason.

Along with Jarvis, the Hurricanes will be looking at Andrei Svechnikov to get in on the points parade. While he did not end up on the scoresheet, Svechnikov was noticeable off the puck, making some key defensive plays and throwing his body around. Furthermore, he was shooting the puck at will on Linus Ullmark. He was not afraid to shoot the puck, having 18 shots in four games. Once those three get rolling, the Hurricanes will be tough to handle, along with the depth scoring already being a huge part.

Frederik Andersen Must Keep Shutting the Door

When it comes to keeping the momentum going, it’s the growing confidence of Frederik Andersen, which will be something the Hurricanes want to see continue in Round 2. He finished with a 4-0-0 record, a 1.10 goals-against average, and a .955 save percentage, along with a shutout. The main question is, will he keep this up? Short answer, yes. Maybe not to the level against the Senators, but Andersen has a track record of playing well for Carolina in the postseason.

Andersen is 23-12 in his 36 starts in the postseason for the Hurricanes. His 23 wins tie Cam Ward’s record as he looks to add to that in Round 2. “The Great Dane” knows how to win in the postseason, and as long as he keeps that going, there is a good chance for the Hurricanes in Round 2 to keep the train rolling.

The Hurricanes still have a few days before the start of Round 2, as the Penguins and Flyers play Game 6 on Wednesday night. Regardless of who it is, the Hurricanes have this sense of being on a different level in the 2026 Playoffs. As long as they bring what they did from Round 1, they will be hard to face in Round 2.