Editor’s Note: We’re wrapping up our “Rivalry Week (two weeks, really) content by looking back on the Canes’ playoff rivals of the 2000s.
When we think of potential playoff rivals, no team really jumps off the page. The Capitals are a rising candidate, but with recency bias and only one series to go off of it really isn’t much. The Bruins are another option, but besides the 2009 series, neither the 1999 nor 2019 series were very competitive.
The only real potential option is with New Jersey. The Devils have been the Hurricanes’ most frequent playoff opponent since relocation having faced off against one another four times in Carolina’s six playoff appearances.