It’s now official: after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 on Thursday night, the Carolina Hurricanes punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For the eighth straight season in the Rod Brind’Amour era, there will be playoff hockey in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Eight Straight Playoffs in Rod Brind’Amour Era
After going a decade without a playoff appearance, the Hurricanes, since Brind’Amour took over, have now clinched a berth in the playoffs for eight straight seasons. In the previous seven, the Hurricanes have won at least a round, with three Eastern Conference Final appearances. It’s been another great season in Carolina, as they are now 48-21-6 with 102 points. Furthermore, with a 4-1 Buffalo Sabres loss to the Ottawa Senators, the Hurricanes stand alone at the top of the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining.
With an ‘x’ next to their name, now it’s about staying as healthy as possible until the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on the weekend of April 18 and 19. Also, it’s about getting enough points to secure the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage through the playoffs. If the playoffs started right now, they would take on the Senators. However, with some teams having seven or more games left in the regular season, a lot can change between now and April 18-19.