Overview

• Tim Stützle led the Ottawa Senators to a dramatic 7–5 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, clinching the team’s first playoff berth since 2017.
• Stützle finished the regular season with 24 goals and 55 assists, his second-most productive NHL season, and will now lead Ottawa in a series against Toronto.
• JJ Peterka and Moritz Seider achieved personal career milestones but missed the playoffs with the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings, respectively.
• Leon Draisaitl is expected to return from injury to bolster the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Los Angeles Kings in the first playoff round.
• Nico Sturm, traded to the Florida Panthers in March, will debut in the playoffs as the defending champions take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.