The NHL playoffs are here, and the first-round matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes is shaping up to be a must-watch. Game 1 kicks off this Saturday in Raleigh, and while the Hurricanes are a perennial playoff force, Ottawa's blistering post-Olympic run suggests this series could be far tighter than the odds imply.

All eyes will be on Ottawa's Dylan Cozens. The dynamic forward is entering the postseason on a heater, having registered a point in five of his last six games. He's been a Hurricane-killer this season, tallying four points in two meetings, including a multi-point performance in a decisive 6-3 win earlier this month. With a team-leading 28 shots in April, Cozens is playing with supreme confidence and is poised to be a game-changer.

Carolina, however, is built for this time of year. They'll counter with their own offensive weapons, like Taylor Hall, who has been electric since the break, and the ever-dangerous Andrei Svechnikov. Svechnikov, who led the 'Canes in playoff goals last spring, is red-hot himself, finding the net in six of his last seven games. This clash of high-flying talents promises end-to-end action from the opening puck drop.

The betting trends heavily favor Ottawa's recent form. The Senators have covered the puck line in six straight games and in seven of eight contests in April. Their recent dominance over Carolina, covering in four of the last five meetings, adds another layer of intrigue to Game 1. With both Cozens and Hall priced attractively to record a point, the individual player props offer compelling value in what should be a fast-paced, offensive series opener.