Frederik Andersen shut down the Senators when it mattered most, and Carolina’s first-round advance had his name on it. He was named the MVP of the series after allowing five goals in four games and finishing with a league-best.955 save percentage.
Andersen opened the series with a shutout in Game 1 at the Lenovo Center, then held off Ottawa through two overtimes in Game 2 before the Hurricanes scored the winner. He also won both games in Ottawa, finishing the four-game series with a 1.10 goals-against average and 110 shots faced.
It was the kind of stretch that separated Carolina from Ottawa in a series that never gave the Senators an opening for long. Andersen led the playoffs in goals expected among goalies, and the numbers matched what the eye test said: he was better than anyone else in the tournament through this round.
Carolina did not need a high-scoring barrage to advance. Taylor Hall led the team with seven points in the series, while Logan Stankoven scored a team-high four goals. That balance gave the Hurricanes enough offense to back a goaltender who kept turning difficult moments into dead ends for Ottawa.
The only real debate now is what Carolina does next with its depth and health while it waits for the winner of the Penguins/Flyers series. Brandon Bussi could have been started so he could stay in game shape in case he is needed later, and injured players Nikolaj Ehlers and Alexander Nikishin are expected to return to on-ice practice shortly.
For the Hurricanes, Andersen’s four games were not just a strong start. They were the foundation of the series, and the reason Carolina gets to keep playing while Ottawa goes home.
