Hurricanes rolling in NHL playoffs. Next is another long between-rounds rest

May 10, 2026 - 21:20

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to steamroll through the NHL postseason, but their momentum is about to hit another pause. After dispatching their latest opponent, the team now awaits the winner of the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres series. That matchup is still ongoing and will run through at least Thursday night, meaning Carolina will have another extended between-rounds rest before they hit the ice again.

This is not the first time the Hurricanes have faced a long layoff in these playoffs. They previously had a significant break after a quick series win, and now history is repeating itself. While rest is generally a good thing in a grueling sport, too much time off can sometimes dull a team's sharpness. The coaching staff will have to manage practice intensity carefully to keep the players fresh but not rusty.

The opponent, whether it be Montreal or Buffalo, will have the advantage of coming off a hard-fought, competitive series. They will be battle-tested and likely playing with high emotion. Carolina, on the other hand, will need to manufacture that intensity in practice. The key for the Hurricanes will be maintaining their disciplined defensive structure and high-speed transition game, which have been their trademarks throughout the postseason. For now, all they can do is watch, wait, and prepare for whichever team emerges from the Eastern Conference bracket.