NHL playoffs: Hurricanes' potential opponents on road to Stanley Cup are set

The four first-round matchups in the Eastern Conference are set. The playoffs begin Saturday,

Posted 4:18 p.m. Apr 17 — Updated 4:18 p.m. Apr 17

Brian Murphy

, WRAL

The Carolina Hurricanes' path to the Stanley Cup Finals is set.

The Hurricanes are making their sixth consecutive appearance in the NHL Playoffs and they'll open with a 2023 first-round rematch with the New York Islanders.

The NHL has not released dates, times or networks for the playoffs. The Hurricanes will open their best-of-seven series with the Islanders at PNC Arena on Saturday or Sunday.

Carolina ended the regular season with a 6-3 loss to Columbus. The Hurricanes rested many of their regulars in the game, which had no impact on playoff seeding. Carolina is the No. 2 seed out of the Metropolitan Division.

If the Hurricanes advance, they'll meet the winner of the New York Rangers-Washington Capitals series. The Rangers earned the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Capitals claimed the final playoff spot in the East with a victory against Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

If Carolina moves onto the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season and the third time since 2019, it will face either Florida, Boston, Toronto or Tampa Bay. Florida swept Carolina last season.

The Hurricanes have recent playoff history with many of these teams.

2019: Beat Washington (4-3), beat Islanders (4-0), lost to Boston (4-0)

2020: Beat Rangers in qualifying round (3-0), lost to Boston (4-1)

2021: Beat Nashville (4-2), lost to Tampa Bay (4-1)

2022: Beat Boston (4-3), lost to Rangers (4-3)

2023: Beat Islanders (4-2), beat New Jersey (4-1), lost to Florida (4-0)

Eight teams have clinched a playoff berth in the Western Conference, but the seeding and first-round matchups are not yet set. Dallas, Winnipeg, Colorado, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Nashville, Edmonton and Vegas will be in the West playoffs.

The regular season ends Thursday.

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