It's a Waiting Game for the Canes

TORONTO - The Carolina Hurricanes were the first team to advance from the Stanley Cup Qualifiers to the First Round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs after their three-game sweep of the New York Rangers.

Three days later, it's still undetermined who the Canes will face in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the picture is a little clearer today than it was earlier in the week.

"We're watching to see who we're going to play," Jake Gardiner said. "It's out of our control, so we're just kind of watching and relaxing."

The Canes will face either the Washington Capitals, who finished atop the Metropolitan Division again, or the Boston Bruins, the Presidents' Trophy winners with 100 points in 70 games at the time of the pause.

Recall, too, that the Canes faced both teams in the postseason last year. The Canes defeated the Capitals, then the defending Stanley Cup champions, in the First Round, a thrilling, seven-game series that ended in double overtime. After sweeping the New York Islanders in the Second Round, the Canes were then swept by the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final.

Back to this year, which is a little more convoluted due to the expanded 24-team postseason format and reseeding.

The Canes' opponent is dependent on two outcomes: the Montreal vs. Pittsburgh Qualifier series, which the Canadiens currently lead 2-1 and could close out as early as Friday evening, and the Washington vs. Boston round robin finale, which is slated for Sunday.

The Montreal-Pittsburgh Qualifier series will be settled first (an if necessary Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday) and will determine if the Canes face the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Washington-Boston round robin will determine the No. 3 and No. 4 seeding.

"Whether it's Washington or Boston, it's pretty clear we know these are two of the best teams in the league. We know we're up against it. I still think it's about, right now, making sure our game is sharp. We still have a lot to work on in making sure we're the best version of ourselves before we worry about who we're going to play," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We know we're getting a grade-A team, if not one of the best but the best team in the league, in my opinion. It's going to be a tough match-up no matter what we get."

Here's how it breaks down.

The Hurricanes will face the Capitals in the First Round if …

Montreal eliminates Pittsburgh AND Boston beats Washington

OR

Pittsburgh eliminates Montreal AND Washington beats Boston

The Hurricanes will face the Bruins in the First Round if …

Montreal eliminates Pittsburgh AND Washington beats Boston

OR

Pittsburgh eliminates Montreal AND Boston beats Washington

Until Sunday, it's a waiting game for the Canes.

"We're making sure we're staying mentally sharp and getting ready," Jaccob Slavin said. "Board games, Catan, golf simulators, Spikeball, a little bit of everything. Just trying to stay sane in the bubble, continue to hang out with the guys and keep ourselves busy."