The Carolina Hurricanes are now the fifth team in NHL history to open the postseason with eight straight wins. By sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (4-0, with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 4), they advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.
After also sweeping the Ottawa Senators in the first round (4-0), Rod Brind’Amour’s squad became the first team since the current playoff format was introduced in 1987 to go undefeated through the first two rounds. The current format, featuring four rounds with each series a best-of-seven, has been in place since 1987 (from 1980 to 1986, the first-round series were best-of-five).
Overall, Carolina is the fifth franchise in league history to win its first eight playoff games. The complete list:
– 9 wins: Edmonton Oilers (1985) – won the Stanley Cup with a 15-3 record
– 8 wins: Detroit Red Wings (1952) – won the Stanley Cup (8-0)
– 8 wins: Montreal Canadiens (1960) – won the Stanley Cup (8-0)
– 8 wins: St. Louis Blues (1969) – lost in the Stanley Cup Final (8-4)
– 8 wins: Carolina Hurricanes (2026)
