The Carolina Hurricanes just set an NHL record with a 12-day layoff before the Eastern Conference Final. After sweeping the Flyers, Carolina now awaits the winner of the Canadiens and Sabres series.

With this, the Hurricanes are now enjoying the longest longest layoff in NHL playoff history, with only three other teams in the league having waited for 10 or more days between playoff series.

While the Hurricanes prepare for the upcoming game, their opponent is still not decided after the Buffalo Sabres pushed the second-round conference series to Game 7 after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6.

The Montreal Canadiens were home favorites to win and secure the spot to play against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Apparently, things did not turn in their favor, and they lost Game 6 and now have eyes on the upcoming matchup.

The Canadiens' captain, Nick Suzuki, opened up about the Game 6 performance and called it the "worst game."

"I think it’s going to be important for guys to look themselves in the mirror and say we’ve got an opportunity to win one game and move on to the third round," he said. "We’d take that any time throughout the season.”

The Hurricanes' opponent will now be decided after the Monday game between the Canadiens and the Sabres.

Jordan Staal says Hurricanes will use the "rest" to their "advantage"

The Hurricanes are preparing to make the most of the break to prepare for the playoff finals. Their team captain, Jordan Staal, opened up about the long break last week after the win against the Flyers.

“It’s good to try to turn everything off and enjoy the family and some away time," Staal said. "It’s good for our group. And how we felt coming out of that last (game), and that week, everyone was feeling good and sharp. We’ve just got to stay sharp and use the rest to our advantage.”

The Hurricanes started their practice just three days after the clean sweep against the Flyers last week. Their head coach, Rod Brind'Amour, opened up about the team's practice.

“I actually thanked the guys today for getting it done so quick,” Brind'Amour said.

The Hurricanes remain undefeated in their last eight games. They defeated the Ottawa Senators in the conference first round and then the Flyers in the second round to secure a spot in the finals.

Who do you think among the Sabres and Canadiens would make the title in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Hurricanes? Let us know in the comments section.

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Written by

Ankita Yadav

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason