Coming into the series, the Senators were one of the hottest teams, but they ran into the best Metropolitan Division team. In Game 1, the Hurricanes got two past Linus Ullmark in a 2-0 victory. Of the four games, Game 2 was the closest, requiring double overtime before Jordan Martinook ended it to put the Senators in a hole.

Then in Game 3, Logan Stankoven scored early in the first period, with the Senators tying it late in the second. Unfortunately for them, Jackson Blake scored less than two minutes later to give the Hurricanes the 2-1 victory. Finally, Game 4 saw the Hurricanes take the lead, the Senators tie it, before two consecutive goals by the Hurricanes, one an empty-netter. With two minutes left, the Senators cut the lead to one, but allowed a second empty-netter in the loss.

At no point did the Senators lead a game in the series. Ullmark was terrific, stopping 115 of 124 shots for a .932 save percentage and 2.03 goals against average. However, the Senators scored just five goals over the four games to lose in the first round for the second consecutive season.

Last post-season, the Senators lost the first three games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, before winning Games 4 and 5 to send the series back to the Nation’s Capital with a chance to force Game 7. In Game 6, the Senators tied it with just over seven minutes left, but allowed the game-winning goal less than two minutes later. The Maple Leafs iced the game with an empty-netter.

It’s been nearly a decade since the Senators have won a playoff round. They beat the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers in the 2017 post-season, and were a post away from going to their second ever Stanley Cup Finals, before the Pittsburgh Penguins eventually scored the overtime winner.

Alexander Nikishin concussed

Early in the second period of Game 4 of that series, Hurricanes defenceman Alexander Nikishin was hit hard by Tyler Kleven and was forced to leave the game. After the game, it was announced that the Russian defender suffered a concussion.

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Scary moment in Ottawa after Tyler Kleven lays a massive hit on Alexander Nikishin, who had to be escorted off the ice. 📹: Sportsnet

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8:19 PM · Apr 25, 2026

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It’ll be a big blow for the Hurricanes back end if the 24-year-old is out for any period of time. Drafted 69th overall in the 2020 draft, Nikishin spent several years in the Kontinental Hockey League, scoring 17 goals and 46 points in 61 games in 2024-25, down from the 17 goals and 56 points he had the season before.

Following the conclusion of St. Petersburg SKA’s season, Nikishin joined the Hurricanes for their 2025 post-season run, picking up an assist in four games. The 2025-26 season was the Orel, Russia product’s first season in the NHL, scoring 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games while playing significant minutes.

Ridly Greig to have a hearing

The Senators and Hurricanes may have played four games, but it was eventful. Hurricanes’ forward Taylor Hall got away with a hit to Jake Sanderson’s head, with the Senators’ defenceman missing Game 4. Ridly Greig wasn’t so lucky.

Five minutes after the hit that concussed Nikishin, the two teams got into a scrum after a whistle. Warren Foegele had Sean Walker in a headlock, nothing wrong with that, but while Walker was in that headlock, Greig threw a sucker punch. No penalty was called, and the Senators ultimately lost. Despite their season being over, Greig will receive a hearing.