The Carolina Hurricanes were among the Stanley Cup odds favourites at the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the 2025-26 season as they prepare for their third Stanley Cup Final.
Let’s take a look at their playoff history, both before and after their stint as the Hartford Whalers.
NHL Playoffs: Carolina Hurricanes History
| Year | Result | Team They Lost To |
| ** 1980 | Lost First Round | Montreal Canadiens |
| ** 1986 | Lost Second Round | Montreal Canadiens |
| ** 1987 | Lost First Round | Quebec Nordiques |
| ** 1988 | Lost First Round | Montreal Canadiens |
| ** 1989 | Lost First Round | Montreal Canadiens |
| ** 1990 | Lost First Round | Boston Bruins |
| ** 1991 | Lost First Round | Boston Bruins |
| ** 1992 | Lost First Round | Montreal Canadiens |
| 1999 | Lost First Round | Boston Bruins |
| 2001 | Lost First Round | New Jersey Devils |
| 2002 | Lost Stanley Cup Final | Detroit Red Wings |
| 2006 | Won Stanley Cup | N/A |
| 2009 | Lost Eastern Conference Final | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 2019 | Lost Eastern Conference Final | Boston Bruins |
| 2020 | Lost First Round | Boston Bruins |
| 2021 | Lost Second Round | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 2022 | Lost Second Round | New York Rangers |
| 2023 | Lost Eastern Conference Final | Florida Panthers |
| 2024 | Lost Second Round | New York Rangers |
| 2025 | Lost Eastern Conference Final | Florida Panthers |
| 2026 | Stanley Cup Final | Ongoing |
| ** Hartford Whalers |
The Hurricanes’ first season in the NHL was in 1997-98. The Hartford Whalers preceded them, existing from 1980 to 1997 before relocating and rebranding.
The Whalers had almost no playoff success, winning just one round in eight postseason trips. After relocating, the Hurricanes took five seasons to finally advance past the first round.
In 2002, they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Detroit Red Wings. They won their first Stanley Cup in 2006, beating the Edmonton Oilers 4-3.
After their 2009 conference final defeat, the Hurricanes didn’t make the playoffs for 10 seasons. They have advanced to seven conference finals, winning three.
They had lost four straight conference finals (2009, 2019, 2023, 2025), two of which to the Florida Panthers in three years, before conquering the Montreal Canadiens in five games during the 2026 postseason.
Preceding the 2026 playoffs, the Hurricanes advanced to two Stanley Cup Finals, losing one and winning one.
Six of their most recent seven playoff defeats came against the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, and the Panthers.
Three of the four teams that beat them in their four consecutive Eastern Conference final defeats went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Bruins, who lost to the St. Louis Blues in the 2019 final, are the only exception.
How Many Stanley Cups Have the Hurricanes Played In?
Including the 2026 season, the Hurricanes have played in three Stanley Cup Finals.
How Many Stanley Cups Have the Hurricanes Won?
The Hurricanes won their only Stanley Cup in 2006.
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