The Carolina Hurricanes, also known as the “Canes” or simply as the Hurricanes, is an professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina and compete in the NHL as member of the metropolitian division in the Eastern Conference. Originally known as the New England Whalers, the franchise began in the World Hockey Association (WHA) before merging into the NHL in 1979. Notably, they clinched the Stanley Cup in 2006 after relocation from Hartford to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1997.
Despite early struggles, including financial difficulties and relocation to Raleigh in 1997, the Hurricanes saw success in the early 2000s, highlighted by a Stanley Cup victory in 2006. Notably, the Stanley Cup victory of 2006 stands as the first and only major championship of the State of North Carolina as of 2022-23. In addition to their Stanley Cup triumph, they have also added six Divison Championships and two Conference Championships to their collection as of 2024.
Carolina Hurricanes NHL Playoff History and Appearances
The Carolina Hurricanes have made 11 playoff appearances in their NHL history. Originally relocated from Hartford, the Hurricanes have had varying degrees of success in the postseason. Notable achievements include winning the Stanley Cup in 2006 and reaching the conference finals multiple times. Despite periods of inconsistency, the Hurricanes have consistently competed in the Eastern Conference, clinching division titles and securing playoff berths.
A table exploring Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff history and appearances is provided below:
| Year | Record | Result |
| 2023 | 52-21-9 | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2022 | 54-20-8 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2021 | 36-12-8 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2020 | 38-25-5 | Lost First Round |
| 2019 | 46-29-7 | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2018 | 36-35-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2017 | 36-31-15 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2016 | 35-31-16 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2015 | 30-41-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2014 | 36-35-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2013 | 19-25-4 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2012 | 33-33-16 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2011 | 40-31-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2010 | 35-37-10 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2009 | 45-30-7 | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2008 | 43-33-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2007 | 40-34-8 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2006 | 52-22-8 | Stanley Cup Winners |
| 2005 | - | NHL Lockout |
| 2004 | 28-34-14-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2003 | 22-43-11-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2002 | 35-26-16-5 | Lost Stanley Cup Final |
| 2001 | 38-32-9-3 | Lost First Round |
| 2000 | 37-35-10 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1999 | 34-30-18 | Lost First Round |
| 1998 | 33-41-8 | Missed Playoffs |
As Hartford Whalers | ||
| 1997 | 32-39-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1996 | 34-39-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1995 | 19-24-5 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1994 | 27-48-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1993 | 26-52-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1992 | 26-41-13 | Lost First Round |
| 1991 | 31-38-11 | Lost First Round |
| 1990 | 38-33-9 | Lost First Round |
| 1989 | 37-38-5 | Lost First Round |
| 1988 | 35-38-7 | Lost First Round |
| 1987 | 43-30-7 | Lost First Round |
| 1986 | 40-36-4 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 1985 | 30-41-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1984 | 28-42-10 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1983 | 19-54-7 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1982 | 21-41-18 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1981 | 21-41-18 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1980 | 27-34-19 | Lost First Round |
Carolina Hurricanes Conference History
The Carolina Hurricanes have competed in the Eastern Conference throughout their history in the NHL. Within the Eastern Conference, they've navigated through different divisions, facing off against formidable opponents in pursuit of conference championships and playoff success. Their journey within the Eastern Conference has seen periods of both triumph and adversity, with the Hurricanes consistently striving to establish themselves as contenders in one of the NHL's toughest conferences.
From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, they faced challenges in the Conference Quarterfinals, experiencing losses to teams like the Bruins and Devils. However, the tide turned in the 2002–03 season when they surged through the playoffs, defeating formidable opponents like the Devils, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs, only to fall short against the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals. The following years saw a mix of qualification and non-qualification for the playoffs, with notable appearances like their Stanley Cup victory against the Oilers in 2005–06.
Despite occasional playoff successes, including Conference Finals appearances in 2009, 2019, and 2023, they also encountered seasons of not qualifying for postseason play. However, their resilience remained evident, as seen in their recent playoff appearances, including a hard-fought battle against the Islanders in the 2022–23 season and their ongoing efforts in the 2023–24 season.
A table exploring Carolina Hurricanes's Conference History along with their results is provided below:
| Team | Conference | Result | |||||
| 2022–23 | Eastern | Won in First Round, 4–2 Won in Second Round, 4–1 Lost in Conference Finals, 0–4 | |||||
| 2021–22 | Eastern | Won in First Round, 4–3 Lost in Second Round, 3–4 | |||||
| 2020–21 | — | Won in First Round, 4–2 Lost in Second Round, 1–4 | |||||
| 2019–20 | Eastern | Won in Qualifying Round, 3–0 Lost in First Round, 1–4 | |||||
| 2018–19 | Eastern | Won in First Round, 4–3 Won in Second Round, 4–0 Lost in Conference Finals, 0–4 | |||||
| 2017–18 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2016–17 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2015–16 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2014–15 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2013–14 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2012–13 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2011–12 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2010–11 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2009–10 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2008–09 | Eastern | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–3 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference Finals, 0–4 | |||||
| 2007–08 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2006–07 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2005–06 | Eastern | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–1 Won in Conference Finals, 4–3 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–3 | |||||
| 2004–05 | - | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout | |||||
| 2003–04 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 2002–03 | Eastern | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–2 Won in Conference Finals, 4–2 Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 1–4 | |||||
| 2001–02 | Eastern | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 | |||||
| 2000–01 | Eastern | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 | |||||
| 1999–2000 | Eastern | Did not qualify | |||||
| 1998–99 | Eastern | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 | |||||
The Carolina Hurricanes have reached the conference finals four times in their history and have won twice, in 2001-02 and 2005-06.
Carolina Hurricanes Division History
The Carolina Hurricanes have been members of various divisions within the Eastern Conference throughout their tenure in the NHL. Transitioning from the Southeast Division to the Metropolitan Division, the Hurricanes have faced off against divisional rivals in pursuit of division titles and playoff berths. In recent years, they've consistently maintained a strong presence in the Metropolitan Division, with notable seasons like 2022, where they boasted a record of 54-20-8, demonstrating their prowess on the ice. However, their earlier years in the Southeast Division saw varying degrees of success, with seasons like 2006 standing out with an impressive record of 52-22-8.
A table exploring the Carolina Hurricanes' division history along with their regular season records is provided below:
| Year | Division | Regular season |
| 2023 | Metropolitan | 52-21-9 |
| 2022 | Metropolitan | 54-20-8 |
| 2021 | Central | 36-12-8 |
| 2020 | Metropolitan | 38-25-5 |
| 2019 | Metropolitan | 46-29-7 |
| 2018 | Metropolitan | 36-35-11 |
| 2017 | Metropolitan | 36-31-15 |
| 2016 | Metropolitan | 35-31-16 |
| 2015 | Metropolitan | 30-41-11 |
| 2014 | Metropolitan | 36-35-11 |
| 2013 | Southeast | 19-25-4 |
| 2012 | Southeast | 33-33-16 |
| 2011 | Southeast | 40-31-11 |
| 2010 | Southeast | 35-37-10 |
| 2009 | Southeast | 45-30-7 |
| 2008 | Southeast | 43-33-6 |
| 2007 | Southeast | 40-34-8 |
| 2006 | Southeast | 52-22-8 |
| 2004 | Southeast | 28-34-14-6 |
| 2003 | Southeast | 22-43-11-6 |
| 2002 | Southeast | 35-26-16-5 |
| 2001 | Southeast | 38-32-9-3 |
| 2000 | Southeast | 37-35-10 |
| 1999 | Southeast | 34-30-18 |
| 1998 | Northeast | 33-41-8 |
Notably, the Hurricanes have claimed six Division Championships throughout their existence. These triumphs came in: 1998-99, 2001-02, 2005-06, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23.
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FAQs on Carolina Hurricanes Playoff History
A. The Carolina Hurricanes have made 11 playoff appearances in their NHL history.
A. The Carolina Hurricanes' best playoff performance was winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.
A. The Carolina Hurricanes have reached the conference finals four times in their history.
A. The Carolina Hurricanes have won one Stanley Cup in 2005-2006 season.
A. Thomas Tundon owns the Carolina Hurricanes.
