The Hurricanes secure their eighth straight playoff berth. With a potent offense and deep roster, they aim for ultimate glory this year.
With a 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, the Carolina Hurricanes have clinched an eighth consecutive trip to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Hurricanes currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with just seven games remaining on their schedule, and are also even close to clinching the Metropolitan Division too.
Even despite a plethora of injuries early in the season, the Canes just never got derailed and now sit ready to go for the final race.
"It's a huge accomplishment and the guys should be proud of it," said Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour. "I wish they could feel better about it. I remember the days when we made the playoffs and how exciting it was. Like, it was so amazing. Now, it's just kind of an afterthought. That's because we raised the expectations around here."
The Canes have been one of the most successful teams in the league over the span of their consecutive postseason berths, with the third most regular season wins and sixth most playoff wins, but they're still looking for the ultimate prize.
Carolina has yet to return to the Stanley Cup Final since winning it all in 2006, fizzling out in three Eastern Conference Final appearances over their eight-year span.
However, they're hoping that this year will be different.
"We've had some good teams and obviously every year is a different story," said alternate captain Sebastian Aho. "It doesn't matter if you made the last eight or missed the last eight, I think every year is a unique opportunity to do something great and that's obviously our goal. We'll do everything we can to make it happen."
The Hurricanes have one of their deepest teams ever, they're healthy for the most part and with a red-hot power play (24.8%) and the highest scoring rate in team history, they feel they just might have the personnel to get it done this year.
"It's a great team," said captain Jordan Staal. "We're sitting where we are because we have a great squad and a lot of talent to boot as well as competitive guys that are ready to do all the extra and little things to win. We're ready to play playoff hockey and I think we have a great makeup. I'm excited to see where this group can go this year."
The first race is all but complete, with just a few more games to take care of, but the Canes can take solace in the fact that they've made it once again.
But soon it'll be time for the ultimate test and there'll be nothing positive to take away from that unless you're the last team standing in the end.
"We're turning the page here," Brind'Amour said. "We have to finish out the year hard and get across the finish line the best we can. Then we're looking forward to an opportunity to win the whole thing."
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