The Hurricanes will be playoffs

The Hurricanes will be playoffs

After the Boston Bruins, a second team secured their ticket to the National Hockey League playoffs early: the Carolina Hurricanes.

• Also read: CH loses in a turbulent match in Boston

• Also read: Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews power up

The Canes didn’t even need a win to qualify for Thursday’s Spring Ball. They lost 2-1 to the New York Rangers in Raleigh.

Rather, it was the Florida Panthers’ 6-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs that formalized their participation.

With 100 points, Rod Brind’Amour’s squad takes first place in the metropolitan section and second place overall at the Bettman Circuit.

In their game against the Blueshirts, Sebastian Aho opened the scoring with an excellent wrist shot.

What’s more, the Finnish center needs just one goal in the next playoffs to equal Eric Staal’s team record. He scored 19 career goals with the Canes in the post-season tournament.

Artemi Panarin leveled the game for Rangers in the second half. He then set the table for the winner, scored by Adam Fox.

Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves as the Big Apple side avenged their defeat on Tuesday.