Stankoven's key goals propel Hurricanes forward

Logan Stankoven played a pivotal role in the Carolina Hurricanes' playoff success, scoring a crucial power-play goal in the third period of Game Four, leading the team to a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

This win allowed the Hurricanes to sweep the Senators in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Stankoven's goal, his fourth of the series, came at 9:10 in the third period, breaking a tie and giving Carolina a 2-1 lead, which proved vital as they never trailed throughout the series.

Sebastian Aho's two empty-net goals sealed the game and the series, while Taylor Hall contributed with a goal and an assist. Frederik Andersen made 25 saves, showcasing a solid performance throughout the series, where the Senators struggled to score, netting only five goals in four games.

The game was marked by physicality, including a significant hit that sidelined Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin. The Hurricanes are now set to face the winner of the series between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in the next round.