Playoff hockey returns to Raleigh this weekend, when the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders in the first round.
Why it matters: Under the ownership of Tom Dundon and coaching of Rod Brind’Amour, the Carolina Hurricanes have transformed into a perennial playoff contender — making it to the postseason six seasons in a row.
Between the lines: But while the team has gotten close, it has not yet been able to make it back to the Stanley Cup finals.
It hasn’t done that since winning it all in 2006.
In fact, the Canes are the only major league team in North Carolina to ever win a championship.
Driving the news: The Canes finished second in the Metropolitan Division, sitting behind the New York Rangers by three points.
The NHL has not yet released the schedule but Game 1 will be no sooner than Saturday, April 20, according to the Hurricanes.
Here’s what to know about the Canes heading into the playoffs:
The Canes are the odds-on favorites to lift the cup, according to FanDuel. The Florida Panthers have the second-best odds.
One reason for the confidence in the Canes is their move at the trade deadline for Pittsburgh’s star winger Jake Guentzel. He’s averaged five points per 60 minutes since joining — the most on the Canes and fifth highest in the league, per The Athletic.
Since landing Guentzel on March 7, the Canes have won 16 of their 21 games.
Seb Aho is still a star for the Canes. The center led the team with 89 points this year — the 17th most in the NHL.
Carolina beat the Islanders in six games in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. They were 2-1-1 against the Islanders this season, according to StatMuse.
Yes, but: The Islanders are riding their own mid-season turnaround after replacing their head coach with former NHL goaltending legend Patrick Roy.
