Carolina Hurricanes’ 3 Stars of Round 1 – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

The first Stanley Cup Playoff edition of 3 Stars is here, and what a Round 1 for the Carolina Hurricanes. Instead of winning the series in six or seven games as most predicted, they swept the Ottawa Senators after their 4-2 win on Saturday night. That said, who stood out for the Hurricanes after their quick series to begin the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Third Star: Logan Stankoven & Jackson Blake

We’re kicking off the three stars of the series with a shared Third Star between Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake. If we’re going to mention the second line at all, the whole trio needs to get some praise. There are arguments for these guys to be higher, but having them together makes sense, especially after combining for five goals, four assists, and nine points through the four games.

Regarding Stankoven, he scored a goal in each of the four games to begin the playoffs, becoming the first player in franchise history to do so. Furthermore, he is now on a 12-game point streak, scoring 11 goals over that span. It got to a point where people were waiting for him to score a goal, especially after scoring first in each of the first three games. Stankoven was basically automatic for the Hurricanes in the series.

In terms of Blake, it’s hard to leave him off here after tallying three assists and four points. The whole second line as a group had 16 points through the first four games of the postseason. There is arguably a case to be made that the whole line should represent the Three Stars of the series, especially after how dominant they were against the Senators. They forced a plethora of turnovers with their aggressive forecheck, which in the end made the Senators pay for the entire series.

Second Star: Frederik Andersen

When it comes to the first and second stars of Round 1, there are arguments to be made for both guys to take either spot. Whether it is goaltending or tallying a bunch of points, people cannot go wrong either way with whoever takes the top two spots. That said, the tough decision of the second star of Round 1 goes to Frederik Andersen.

Andersen was a brick wall, going 4-0-0 with a 1.10 goals-against average (GAA), a .955 save percentage (SV%), and recording a shutout in Game 1 for the sixth of this career. In 273:22 of ice time, he saved 105 of 110 shots faced, giving up five goals through the four games. That even includes the double-overtime Game 2, with Andersen playing in almost 14 total periods. Time and time again, he was making the 10-bell saves, keeping the Hurricanes in the lead or tied the entire series. For the first time since the 2009 Detroit Red Wings, the Hurricanes never trailed once in their Round 1 matchup.

One of the reasons for that accomplishment? Andersen played otherworldly hockey. With his performance in Round 1, he could have taken the first star; however, it was another second-line player who was on another level.

First Star: Taylor Hall

Throughout Round 1, it felt like Taylor Hall rewound the clock and brought back his 2018 MVP self. The 34-year-old put on a clinic, tallying two goals, five assists, and seven points in the series. Hall also finished as a plus-5, and like the rest of his line, they were not on the ice during the Senators’ five goals. What is more impressive is that Hall had a multi-point night in three of the four games. Game 2 was the only one where he finished with one point, an assist.

Hall either finished with a goal and an assist or two assists in the three games where his impact was felt. He was also a plus-2 in two of the four games. When it came down to it, Hall was just on another level and deserving of the first star. He could have been with the second star for how well Andersen played in the series, but playing the series with almost two points per game average, it’s tough not to give the edge to Hall.

All in all, Hall, along with Stankoven and Blake, were the main cogs for the Hurricanes in Round 1 against the Senators. Finishing with a combined 16 points in the four games is something to take note of as they wait for either the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 2. Once those three were placed together, they have arguably been the best line night in and night out for Rod Brind’Amour and his staff.

When it comes down to it, all of the guys listed were more than deserving of what they did in Round 1 against the Senators. Other players could have made the 3 Stars list. However, when it comes to Stankoven, Blake, Andersen, and Hall, they were the biggest difference makers of the series.