Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 2 Preview, Picks & Odds for Monday, April 20, 2026

By Kody Malstrom | Apr 19, 2026, 7:02pm

Known for their high powered offense, the Carolina Hurricanes back line hogged the spotlight in game one by holding the Ottawa Senators off the scoreboard in their 2-0 win. A stunning display when factoring in how well the Senators front line have been on offense in the second half of the season, jumping up to the top half of the board in Expected Goals For.

More impressive yet, the Hurricanes were able to secure the win while Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho were practically non-factors throughout the contest. With positive regression looming large over their star studded duo, expect the Hurricanes to light up the scoreboard in game two and win in regulation.

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Analysis

Even though the Hurricanes were held to just two goals in game one, they were able to pressure the net at a very high rate, finishing the contest with 4.82 Expected Goals. While Jarvis and Aho struggled to find their footing, their depth had the Senators back line in flux, stretching them thin which helped widen the width of their shooting lanes in front of the crease.

With the Hurricanes duo expected to play a much larger role in game two, they will be able to overwhelm the Senators back line, making it easier to attack their net. When forced to deal with a high volume of Shots on Goal, Linus Ullmark has struggled to keep a clean sheet, averaging nearly three Goals Against per game and a .891 Save Percentage.

On the other side of the ice, the Hurricanes back line has helped turn them into a well rounded contender, ranking in the top-10 in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play. With their defense suffocating their opponents front line while their own offense consistently pressures the net, the Hurricanes are able to avoid playing in highly volatile contests which increases their chances of winning.

While the Hurricanes have yet to name their starting goalie for game two, it’s worth noting Brandon Bussi has actually outplayed his teammate this season, averaging just 2.47 Goals Against per game. With no drop off in production when starting their back up goalie, the Hurricanes are able to side step regression.

No matter who gets the start in net, the Hurricanes high level of play on both sides of the ice will make it hard for the Senators to match their output, resulting in another lopsided finish. Cut through the juice on the Hurricanes moneyline by betting on them to win in regulation instead.

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Best Bet, Pick & Prediction

Best Bet: CAR ML 60 Min (+105)
Score Prediction: Hurricanes 4, Senators 2

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game Odds

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game Information

Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN2
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Venue: Lenovo Center – 6.9 goals per game; 26-15-1 O/U
Series Score: Hurricanes 1-0

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Resources

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Key Players

Ottawa Senators

Brady Tkachuk – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 2 Shots on Goal)
Tim Stutzle – Last Game: (0 Goal, 0 Assists, 4 Shots on Goal)
Linus Ullmark – Last Game: (2.00 Goals Against, 27 Saves)

Carolina Hurricanes

Seth Jarvis – Last Game: (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Shots on Goal)
Sebastian Aho – Last Game: (0 Goal, 0 Assists, 1 Shots on Goal)
Frederik Andersen – Last Game: (0.00 Goals Against, 22 Saves)

Photo Credit: AP/Karl B DeBlaker

Kody Malstrom

Kody is a professional sports bettor and sports betting journalist with eight years of experience in the industry. He covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, and UFC. What started as a side gig has turned into a full time job, spending a majority of his time staring at odds screens and market movement. When away from the computer, Kody enjoys spending his time outdoors relaxing at the beach or golfing with friends.