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2026 NHL Postseason Conference Finals Preview

Eastern Conference M1. Carolina Hurricanes  vs. A3. Montreal Canadiens  Second Round Series : The Hurricanes swept their way into the conference finals, finishing the Flyers in four games and enduring a nearly two-week wait. The Canadiens went the distance for the second round in a row, beating the Buffalo Sabres in overtime in Game 7 to advance. Season Series : The Canadiens swept all three games against the Hurricanes this season, including two games in Raleigh. They met twice in March, both ending in multi-goal victories for the Habs behind stellar goaltending from Jakub Dobes. Postseason History : The Hurricanes and the Canadiens have met two times in the postseason since the Canes relocated to Raleigh. The Canes won both series in six games, beating them in the Conference Semifinals in 2002 and the Conference Quarterfinals in 2006 as part of their Stanley Cup run. Prediction : I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't concerned about the Canes inability to beat the Canadiens d...
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"One of a Kind": 2025-26 Postseason Round 2, Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers

The Carolina Hurricanes had a golden opportunity to finish the job on Saturday night. One win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, almost everything has gone the Canes' way to this point in the playoffs. In some ways, we're waiting for the shoe to drop and something to happen that derails this perfect ride. In other ways, we're sitting anxiously and hoping that the ride never ends. With their season on the line, the Flyers would need significantly more life and fight than they showed for most of Game 3. They're a team beaming with potential, but injuries and the Canes' defense have prevented their offense from getting started. With Owen Tippett still out, they needed to do everything in their power to get the series back to Raleigh. Scoring Summary 1st Period PHI (7:50)- Tyson Foerster (1) (Trevor Zegras (4) & Porter Martone (3)) 2nd Period CAR (12:35)- Jackson Blake (3) (K'Andre Miller (6) & Taylor Hall (7)) 3rd Period CAR (4:13)- Logan Stankoven (7...
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"Bullied": 2025-26 Postseason Round 2, Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers

The chance to commandeer the series was in the Hurricanes' laps on Thursday night. A win in Game 3 in front of the Flyers faithful would put them one win closer to the conference finals for the third time in four seasons, but they needed a stronger start and a more complete 60-minute effort if they had any hopes of doing so on the road. The Canes welcomed Alexander Nikishin back to the lineup after two games missed with a concussion. Meanwhile, the Flyers are dealing with some key injuries up front. Along with the continued absence of Owen Tippett, who missed his third straight game, Noah Cates is done for the series, and Christian Dvorak, while still playing, is going through something as well. The Canes had their opportunity. It would be on them to seize it. Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (17:27-PP)- Jordan Staal (1) (Andrei Svechnikov (2) & Shayne Gostisbehere (1)) 2nd Period PHI (2:31)- Trevor Zegras (2) (Emil Andrae (1) & Porter Martone (2)) CAR (15:59-SH)- Jalen Chatf...
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"Hall": 2025-26 Postseason Round 2, Game 2: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers

It's Star Wars Day, though I'm not quite sure what that has to do with tonight's contest between the Canes and the Flyers. Carolina got off to another good start in Game 1, shutting out the Flyers 3-0 to draw first blood. With this shutout win, the Canes needed to make sure that the Flyers' force hadn't been awakened and that they were given a new hope. The Canes turned to the same group from Saturday's win to get them a 2-0 series lead, while the Flyers sought revenge to even the series and snatch home ice in their favor before heading home later this week. Scoring Summary 1st Period PHI (4:02-PP)- Jamie Drysdale (2) (unassisted) PHI (4:41)- Sean Couturier (1) (Carl Grundstrom (1)) CAR (10:21-PP)- Nikolaj Ehlers (1) (Jackson Blake (5) & K'Andre Miller (4)) 2nd Period None 3rd Period CAR (11:21)- Seth Jarvis (1) (Nikolaj Ehlers (2) & Jordan Staal (2)) Overtime CAR (18:54)- Taylor Hall (3) (Jackson Blake (6) & Sean Walker (2)) My Thoughts I'm ...
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2026 NHL Postseason 2nd Round Preview

Eastern Conference M1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers First Round Series : The Hurricanes make quick work of the Ottawa Senators, sweeping them in four straight across a week. The Flyers got out to a 3-0 series lead against the Pittsburgh Penguins and held on to win the series in six games on Cam York's overtime winner. Season Series : Every regular-season meeting required more than 60 minutes to complete, with three won by the Hurricanes. Three of the four ended in the shootout, with the Canes winning the first two and Philadelphia winning the final contest. Postseason History : This is the first postseason meeting between the two franchises, marking the second straight first-time opponent for Carolina. Prediction : On paper, this series appears far more favorable for the Hurricanes than their encounter with the Senators. That doesn't mean it'll be any easier. The concern I have stems from the Canes' inability to win a game against them in regulation th...
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"Like They Never Left": 2025-26 Postseason Round 2, Game 1: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers

It took a week to get back onto the ice for a game, but the Carolina Hurricanes waited patiently for the opportunity. It proved fruitful for the group, allowing Nikolaj Ehlers to return to the lineup after suffering injury before Game 4 against Ottawa. Alexander Nikishin was not ready to return just yet. As the top team in the East, the expectations remain sky high for the Canes, and they'll have a pesky division foe to contend with in the second round. The Philadelphia Flyers emerged victorious following the Battle of Pennsylvania, beating in-state rival Pittsburgh in six games to advance. They'll be without a valuable part of their offense, Owen Tippett, to start the series, but there is still plenty to keep the Canes busy. In the net, two incredible hot goalies will go at it. Frederik Andersen allowed just five goals during Carolina's sweep, while Dan Vladar closed the Flyers' series with a 42-save shutout. Scoring Summary 1st Period CAR (1:31)- Logan Stankoven (5) (...
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"Bring Out the Brooms": 2025-26 Postseason Round 1, Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators

The Carolina Hurricanes had the opportunity to finish the job on Saturday afternoon in the Senators' barn. All they needed to do was win one more game to send them to the next round. The Canes were dealt their first bit of adversity in the series, with the news that Nikolaj Ehlers wouldn't be able to play today. That didn't change the objective. One more win, and it would be the toughest of them all to get. The Senators have dealt with adversity this entire series. They lost one defenseman in Game 1. Then, they lost another in Game 3. Neither would be available today. It made their job that much harder as they tried to begin their climb out of this three-game hole. Scoring Summary 1st Period None 2nd Period CAR (15:15)- Taylor Hall (2) (Mark Jankowski (1) & Eric Robinson (2)) OTT (17:08-PP)- Drake Batherson (3) (Tim Stutzle (1) & Carter Yakemchuk (1)) 3rd Period CAR (9:10-PP)- Logan Stankoven (4) (K'Andre Miller (3) & Taylor Hall (5)) CAR (17:38-EN)- Sebasti...
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