The waiting is almost over. On Thursday night, the Carolina Hurricanes will return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in nine years. Soon it will be time to turn our attention forward, towards a series against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.
But before we do that, let’s go back in time. During the eight years (seven seasons - one year being lost to a lockout) between the ‘01-’02 season and the ‘08-’09 season, the Canes made the playoffs three times. Over that stretch, they won nine out of eleven playoff series.