The Hurricanes were the East's top wild-card team at the time of the pause, posting a 38-25-5 record with 81 points through 68 games, earning the sixth seed for the Stanley Cup Qualifying round, during which they defeated the New York Rangers in three games.
The 'Canes, under the direction of second-year coach Rod Brind'Amour, outscored the Rangers, 11-4, in the three-game sweep, relying on the duo of Petr Mrazek (2-0, 3 GA, .940 save %) and James Reimer (1-0, 1GA, .974 save %) to get the job done between the pipes.
Offensively, Carolina was paced by its high-powered top line. Star center Sebastian Aho had eight points (three goals, five assists) across the three games, while wingers Andrei Svechnikov (three goals, two assists) and winger Teuvo Teravainen (goal, assist) also had multi-point series.
"We know that they're a good team; they're playing very well right now. Some of their young stars are really feeling it right now," said Brad Marchand. "They're dangerous and we have to be prepared for that. But at the same time, we want to build internally and continue to grow on our game. That's how we've had success."
During the regular season, Aho led the Hurricanes with 38 goals and 66 points in 68 games. Fellow first liners Teravainen (15 goals, 48 assists) and Svechnikov (24 goals, 37 assists) also topped the 60-point plateau.
"They're really well connected," Cassidy said of Carolina's top trio. "They remind me of…when Bergeron's line is going. They can turn away from pressure and they don't need a lot of time to find each other. [They] seem to have that sixth sense on the ice of where they're going to be and that probably comes with repetition, being good players.
"They have, it seems like, a good balance of size with Svechnikov; Aho kind of dishes and passes. Teravainen is more of a guy that looks to thread the needle but certainly has some speed to back you off. They're going to be a handful, just like our guys are when they're going. You have to limit their touches. You have to close on them quickly when you can. And do damage control by not giving them easy chances off the rush.
"That's what I've always found against good offensive lines. You have to make them work for every inch of the ice and if they're willing to do that and have success doing that, then you have to tip your hat to them."
Veteran forwards Jordan Staal and Justin Williams provide steady leadership to an otherwise young Caroling dressing room. Trade deadline acquisition Vincent Trocheck brings some added experience and skill up the middle.
Blue liner Sami Vatanen, acquired from New Jersey at the deadline, had three assists during round-robin play - his first three games in a Carolina uniform - pacing a mobile and skilled defense corps that, even without Dougie Hamilton, is capable of creating plenty of offense.
"We know their D like to get involved, we know they like to go low to high a lot," Cassidy said of a group that also includes 2020 All-Star Jaccob Slavin and Brady Skjei, another trade deadline pick up. "A lot of action from back there, so we have to make sure we're fronting pucks, blocking shots, doing all the little things necessary and then getting under sticks as pucks get by our first layer. That'll be the challenge for us. We need to be up to it."
