RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have gone from being mired in a nearly decade-long playoff drought to a division champion armed with postseason experience and success. Their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators offers the chance to maintain that upward trajectory — or suffer the first significant stumble of that three-season climb. “We’ve been more or less playing playoff hockey for the last two months because our playoff lives were on the line,” defenseman Ryan Ellis said. ... For me, I’m just focused on doing the little things and playing the way this team wants to play.”Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...SLAVIN’S STATUSThe status of Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin is unclear. Fans sounded much louder in the final two regular-season games, a boost in a season where seats around the NHL were mostly empty.

Source: thestar May 16, 2021 18:22 UTC