The Carolina Hurricanes still have work to do in the regular season before the NHL playoffs start, but there’s no intrigue or stakes left for their own fate.
The Hurricanes will face off with a familiar foe in the New Jersey Devils in the first round, in a series that will likely begin either Sunday or Monday in Raleigh.
The two franchises have a long history of postseason meet-ups, dating back to 2001, the last time the Canes fell short against New Jersey.
Carolina avenged that loss in 2002 on their way to the Stanley Cup Final, and the beat the Devils again in 2006 in the second round on their way to winning the Cup.