Frederik Andersen Delivers 4-0 Sweep for Hurricanes

frederik andersen went 4-0 in the Carolina Hurricanes’ first-round sweep of the Ottawa Senators, posting a.955 save percentage, a 1.1 goals-against average and one shutout. He handled the crease in all four games and allowed only five goals total, giving Carolina a fast finish and a rested goaltender for Round 2.

Brind'Amour On Andersen

Rod Brind'Amour said Andersen’s play was probably the best hockey he had played for the Hurricanes. He also said, “Like, it was a goalie matchup and they were going save for save. And we needed it. Otherwise this thing could have looked a lot different. Freddie... that was probably the best hockey he's played for us since being a Hurricane.”

The numbers back that up. Andersen led the entire league in goals saved above expected with 7.6, and he allowed only three goals at 5-on-5 in the series. Carolina did not have to chase its goaltender through the round; it leaned on him every night and got a clean four-game answer.

Andersen's First-Round Work

Andersen said he felt good after Carolina closed the series in four games. “Obviously happy to close out [the first round] in four. When you have a chance to put a team away, you want to do that as soon as possible and we were happy to get that done.” He also said, “I feel good,” after the sweep.

That workload fit the larger plan. Andersen said, “Loved it,” and, “It's fun out there.” He added, “You want to prioritize some recovery versus getting on the ice, but I think we handled that well,” after taking Friday’s practice off before Saturday’s showdown. The extra rest came after a round in which he did not need to be replaced once.

Flyers Await Carolina

Now the test changes. Andersen was set to face the Philadelphia Flyers, who finished the regular season as one of the league’s hottest teams and knocked out the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. His second-round history gives Carolina a stronger base than the Rangers series did last year, when he posted a.878 save percentage in that five-game set.

Across his career, Andersen has a 14-6 record in the second round, has won three of the four series he has played in, and owns a.915 second-round save percentage. As a Hurricane, that number is.908, so Carolina enters the next round with a goalie who has been more reliable in this stage than he was in 2024.