Despite the Carolina Hurricanes’ shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, the Canes still gained a point due to going to overtime in the contest, and with that single point, Carolina clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference with just one game left to go on their schedule.
Carolina is 52-22-7 with just one game left on its schedule (Tuesday against the New York Islanders), and will face either the Boston Bruins or Ottawa Senators in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Hurricanes rolled through the Metro division dominantly throughout the season. They will now enjoy the luxury of resting their players in the season finale on Tuesday in preparation for the first-round matchup.
The Canes lead the Eastern Conference with 294 goals scored this season.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 13: Logan Stankoven #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes controls the puck against Noah Cates #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
More NHL on Heavy: Hurricanes News: Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov Recalled Ahead of NHL Playoffs
Are the Hurricanes the Team to Beat in the East?
The Eastern Conference is very strong, mainly due to the top of the Atlantic Division. Carolina may have benefited from a weaker Metro Division this season, but the Canes, due to their dominant forward play and strong forecheck should still be considered the team to beat in the East.
As the NHL playoffs quickly approach, the biggest issue the Hurricanes may face is their goaltending. Brandon Bussi has had a very strong season, but Freddie Anderson may be the game one starter due to his playoff experience, and Anderson is experiencing career lows in some major stat categories. This has been one of the best seasons in recent memory for the Hurricanes, who have veterans like Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Jaccob Slavin who have made deep playoff runs before.
Also, the Florida Panthers, who have eliminated the Hurricanes in each of the last two playoffs, will not be in the tournament this season, which is huge news for Carolina.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 13: Matvei Michkov #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers handles the puck against Jalen Chatfield #5 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
More NHL on Heavy: Canadiens Hage Makes Right Call about His Future in Montreal
Who is the Biggest Threat to the Hurricanes?
The NHL playoff picture isn’t fully set, but the picture is starting to become clearer by the day.
Among the team’s who have already clinched the playoffs (like the Flyers on Monday night with their win over Carolina), the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and Flyers pose the biggest threat to Carolina at this point.
Again, the Canes have been pretty dominant this season, so they have the upper hand on most of the season series against all the Eastern Conference teams, but that doesn’t matter in the NHL playoffs.
More NHL on Heavy: Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Gives Major Clue On His Future
Carolina Hurricanes Clinch Top Seed in Eastern Conference Despite Shootout Loss to Philadelphia Flyers