RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes have gone from being mired in a nearly decade-long playoff drought to a division champion armed with postseason experience and success.
Their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators offers the chance to maintain that upward trajectory — or suffer the first significant stumble of that three-season climb.
The teams open their series Monday, with the Hurricanes facing heightened expectations after winning the Central Division for their first division crown since hoisting the Stanley Cup 15 years ago.
They were in the hunt for the Presidents' Trophy until the season's final week. “I feel like everybody’s hunting each other,” said Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour, captain of the 2006 title