2020–21 Carolina Hurricanes season explained

The 2020–21 Carolina Hurricanes season was the 42nd season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established in June 1979, and 23rd season since the franchise relocated from the Hartford Whalers to start the 1997–98 NHL season.

On December 20, 2020, the league temporarily realigned into four divisions with no conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing closure of the Canada–United States border. As a result of this realignment, the Hurricanes played this season in the Central Division and only played games against the other teams in their new division during the regular season and potentially the first two rounds of the playoffs.

On April 26, the Hurricanes clinched a playoff berth after a 4–3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.^[1] They went on to clinch their first division title since 2006.^[2] They defeated the Nashville Predators in the First Round in six games,^[3] but were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Second Round in five games.^[4]

Schedule and results

Regular season

The regular season schedule was published on December 23, 2020.^[5]

2020–21 game log
January: 5–1–0 (Home: 3–0–0 ; Road: 2–1–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 1 January 14 Carolina 3–0 0 1–0–0 2 [6] 2 January 16 Carolina 2–4 Detroit Mrazek 0 1–1–0 2 [7] 3 January 18 Carolina 4–2 0 2–1–0 4 [8] — January 19 Carolina – Nashville Postponed due to COVID-19.[9] Rescheduled for March 2. — January 21 – Carolina Postponed due to COVID-19.[10] Rescheduled for February 17. — January 23 Florida – Carolina Postponed due to COVID-19. Rescheduled for March 7. — January 26 – Carolina Postponed due to COVID-19.[11] Rescheduled for February 22. 4 January 28 Tampa Bay 0–1 Carolina OT Mrazek 0 3–1–0 6 [12] 5 January 30 1–4 Carolina Reimer 0 4–1–0 8 [13] 6 January 31 Dallas 3–4 Carolina SO Reimer 0 5–1–0 10 [14]
February: 8–5–1 (Home: 3–1–1 ; Road: 5–4–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 7 February 2 Carolina 4–3 SO 0 6–1–0 12 [15] 8 February 4 Carolina 4–6 Chicago Reimer 0 6–2–0 12 [16] 9 February 7 Carolina 6–5 Reimer 0 7–2–0 14 [17] 10 February 8 Carolina 2–3 Columbus 0 7–3–0 14 [18] 11 February 11 Carolina 5–3 Reimer 3,687 8–3–0 16 [19] 12 February 13 Carolina 4–3 Dallas SO Nedeljkovic 4,071 9–3–0 18 [20] 13 February 15 Columbus 3–7 Carolina Reimer 0 10–3–0 20 [21] 14 February 17 4–3 Carolina OT Nedeljkovic 0 10–3–1 21 [22] 15 February 19 Chicago 3–5 Carolina Reimer 0 11–3–1 23 [23] 16 February 20 0–4 Carolina Nedeljkovic 0 12–3–1 25 [24] 17 February 22 Tampa Bay 4–2 Carolina Reimer 0 12–4–1 25 [25] 18 February 24 Carolina 0–3 Tampa Bay Nedeljkovic 500 12–5–1 25 [26] 19 February 25 Carolina 1–3 Tampa Bay Reimer 536 12–6–1 25 [27] 20 February 27 Carolina 4–3 SO Reimer 4,281 13–6–1 27 [28]
March: 10–2–2 (Home: 5–0–2 ; Road: 5–2–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 21 March 1 Carolina 3–2 OT 3,817 14–6–1 29 [29] 22 March 2 Carolina 4–2 — 15–6–1 31 [30] 23 March 4 2–5 Carolina Nedeljkovic 2,924 16–6–1 33 [31] 24 March 7 2–4 Carolina Reimer 2,924 17–6–1 35 [32] 25 March 9 Nashville 2–3 Carolina OT Nedeljkovic 2,924 18–6–1 37 [33] 26 March 11 Nashville 1–5 Carolina Reimer 2,924 19–6–1 39 [34] 27 March 14 Carolina 2–1 Detroit Nedeljkovic 0 20–6–1 41 [35] 28 March 16 Carolina 2–4 Detroit Reimer 0 20–7–1 41 [36] 29 March 18 3–2 Carolina OT Nedeljkovic 2,924 20–7–2 42 [37] 30 March 20 Columbus 3–2 Carolina SO Reimer 2,924 20–7–3 43 [38] 31 March 22 Carolina 3–0 Columbus Nedeljkovic 3,829 21–7–3 45 [39] 32 March 25 Carolina 4–3 Columbus OT Nedeljkovic 4,033 22–7–3 47 [40] 33 March 27 3–4 Carolina Reimer 4,433 23–7–3 49 [41] 34 March 30 Carolina 1–2 Nedeljkovic 0 23–8–3 49 [42]
April: 10–2–4 (Home: 6–2–1 ; Road: 4–0–3) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 35 April 1 Carolina 4–3 0 24–8–3 51 [43] 36 April 3 3–2 Carolina 4,987 24–9–3 51 [44] 37 April 4 Dallas 0–1 Carolina 4,987 25–9–3 53 [45] 38 April 6 2–5 Carolina Mrazek 4,987 26–9–3 55 [46] 39 April 8 Florida 0–3 Carolina Nedeljkovic 4,987 27–9–3 57 [47] 40 April 10 5–4 Carolina SO Mrazek 4,987 27–9–4 58 [48] 41 April 12 Detroit 3–1 Carolina Reimer 4,987 27–10–4 58 [49] 42 April 15 1–4 Carolina Mrazek 4,987 28–10–4 60 [50] 43 April 17 Nashville 1–3 Carolina Nedeljkovic 4,987 29–10–4 62 [51] 44 April 19 Carolina 2–3 OT Mrazek 3,800 29–10–5 63 [52] 45 April 20 Carolina 4–1 Tampa Bay Nedeljkovic 3,800 30–10–5 65 [53] 46 April 22 Carolina 4–2 Florida Nedeljkovic 4,683 31–10–5 67 [54] 47 April 24 Carolina 3–4 Florida OT Nedeljkovic 4,838 31–10–6 68 [55] 48 April 26 Carolina 3–4 Dallas OT Reimer 5,364 31–10–7 69 [56] 49 April 27 Carolina 5–1 Dallas Nedeljkovic 6,014 32–10–7 71 [57] 50 April 29 Detroit 1–3 Carolina Reimer 4,987 33–10–7 73 [58]
May: 3–2–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 0–2–0) Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 51 May 1 1–2 Carolina OT 4,987 34–10–7 75 [59] 52 May 3 2–5 Carolina Nedeljkovic 4,987 35–10–7 77 [60] 53 May 4 Chicago 3–6 Carolina 4,987 36–10–7 79 [61] 54 May 6 Chicago 2–1 Carolina OT Mrazek 4,987 36–10–8 80 [62] 55 May 8 Carolina 1–3 Nedeljkovic — 36–11–8 80 [63] 56 May 10 Carolina 0–5 Nashville Mrazek — 36–12–8 80 [64]
Legend:

Playoffs

See main article: 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

2021 Stanley Cup playoffs
Central Division First Round vs. (C4) Nashville Predators: Carolina won 4–2 Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 May 17 Nashville 2–5 Carolina 12,000 1–0 [65] 2 May 19 Nashville 0–3 Carolina Nedeljkovic 12,000 2–0 [66] 3 May 21 Carolina 4–5 Nashville 2OT Nedeljkovic 12,135 2–1 [67] 4 May 23 Carolina 3–4 Nashville 2OT Nedeljkovic 12,135 2–2 [68] 5 May 25 Nashville 2–3 Carolina OT Nedeljkovic 12,000 3–2 [69] 6 May 27 Carolina 4–3 Nashville OT Nedeljkovic 14,107 4–2 [70] Central Division Second Round vs. (C3) Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay won 4–1 Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap 1 May 30 Tampa Bay 2–1 Carolina 16,299 0–1 [71] 2 June 1 Tampa Bay 2–1 Carolina Nedeljkovic 16,299 0–2 [72] 3 June 3 Carolina 3–2 Tampa Bay OT 13,544 1–2 [73] 4 June 5 Carolina 4–6 Tampa Bay Mrazek 13,773 1–3 [74] 5 June 8 Tampa Bay 2–0 Carolina Nedeljkovic 16,299 1–4 [75]
Legend:

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hurricanes clinch playoff berth in OT loss to Stars . NHL.com . April 26, 2021 . April 26, 2021.
2. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article251252349.html Carolina Hurricanes clinch top seed in Central Division as Dallas beats Lightning
3. Web site: Stanley . Robby . Aho, Hurricanes eliminate Predators with Game 6 win in OT . NHL.com . June 8, 2021 . May 27, 2021.
4. Web site: Dusterberg . Kurt . Lightning eliminate Hurricanes in Game 5 of Stanley Cup Second Round . NHL.com . June 8, 2021 . June 8, 2021.
5. Web site: 2020-21 NHL schedule announced . NHL.com . December 24, 2020 . December 23, 2020.
6. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Detroit Red Wings - January 14th, 2021. NHL.com.
7. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Detroit Red Wings - January 16th, 2021. NHL.com.
8. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - January 18th, 2021. NHL.com.
9. Web site: Hurricanes-Predators game postponed due to COVID-19 . NHLcom . January 19, 2021 . January 19, 2021.
10. Web site: Hurricanes games postponed through Jan. 23 because of COVID-19 . NHLcom . January 20, 2021 . January 20, 2021.
11. Web site: Hurricanes' game Tuesday postponed, six rescheduled due to coronavirus . NHL.com . January 25, 2021 . January 25, 2021.
12. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - January 28th, 2021. NHL.com.
13. Web site: Dallas Stars - Carolina Hurricanes - January 30th, 2021. NHL.com.
14. Web site: Dallas Stars - Carolina Hurricanes - January 31st, 2021. NHL.com.
15. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Chicago Blackhawks - February 2nd, 2021. NHL.com.
16. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Chicago Blackhawks - February 4th, 2021. NHL.com.
17. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Columbus Blue Jackets - February 7th, 2021. NHL.com.
18. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Columbus Blue Jackets - February 8th, 2021. NHL.com.
19. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Dallas Stars - February 11th, 2021. NHL.com.
20. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Dallas Stars - February 13th, 2021. NHL.com.
21. Web site: Columbus Blue Jackets - Carolina Hurricanes - February 15th, 2021. NHL.com.
22. Web site: Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - February 17th, 2021. NHL.com.
23. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks - Carolina Hurricanes - February 19th, 2021. NHL.com.
24. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - February 20th, 2021. NHL.com.
25. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - February 22nd, 2021. NHL.com.
26. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Tampa Bay Lightning - February 24th, 2021. NHL.com.
27. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Tampa Bay Lightning - February 25th, 2021. NHL.com.
28. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - February 27th, 2021. NHL.com.
29. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - March 1st, 2021. NHL.com.
30. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - March 2nd, 2021. NHL.com.
31. Web site: Detroit Red Wings - Carolina Hurricanes - March 4th, 2021. NHL.com.
32. Web site: Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - March 7th, 2021. NHL.com.
33. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - March 9th, 2021. NHL.com.
34. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - March 11th, 2021. NHL.com.
35. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Detroit Red Wings - March 14th, 2021. NHL.com.
36. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Detroit Red Wings - March 16th, 2021. NHL.com.
37. Web site: Columbus Blue Jackets - Carolina Hurricanes - March 18th, 2021. NHL.com.
38. Web site: Columbus Blue Jackets - Carolina Hurricanes - March 20th, 2021. NHL.com.
39. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Columbus Blue Jackets - March 22nd, 2021. NHL.com.
40. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Columbus Blue Jackets - March 25th, 2021. NHL.com.
41. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - March 27th, 2021. NHL.com.
42. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Chicago Blackhawks - March 30th, 2021. NHL.com.
43. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Chicago Blackhawks - April 1st, 2021. NHL.com.
44. Web site: Dallas Stars - Carolina Hurricanes - April 3rd, 2021. NHL.com.
45. Web site: Dallas Stars - Carolina Hurricanes - April 4th, 2021. NHL.com.
46. Web site: Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - April 6th, 2021. NHL.com.
47. Web site: Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - April 8th, 2021. NHL.com.
48. Web site: Detroit Red Wings - Carolina Hurricanes - April 10th, 2021. NHL.com.
49. Web site: Detroit Red Wings - Carolina Hurricanes - April 12th, 2021. NHL.com.
50. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - April 15th, 2021. NHL.com.
51. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - April 17th, 2021. NHL.com.
52. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Tampa Bay Lightning - April 19th, 2021. NHL.com.
53. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Tampa Bay Lightning - April 20th, 2021. NHL.com.
54. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - April 22nd, 2021. NHL.com.
55. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - April 24th, 2021. NHL.com.
56. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Dallas Stars - April 26th, 2021. NHL.com.
57. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Dallas Stars - April 27th, 2021. NHL.com.
58. Web site: Detroit Red Wings - Carolina Hurricanes - April 29th, 2021. NHL.com.
59. Web site: Columbus Blue Jackets - Carolina Hurricanes - May 1st, 2021. NHL.com.
60. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks - Carolina Hurricanes - May 3rd, 2021. NHL.com.
61. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks - Carolina Hurricanes - May 4th, 2021. NHL.com.
62. Web site: Chicago Blackhawks - Carolina Hurricanes - May 6th, 2021. NHL.com.
63. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - May 8th, 2021. NHL.com.
64. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - May 10th, 2021. NHL.com.
65. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - May 17th, 2021. NHL.com.
66. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - May 19th, 2021. NHL.com.
67. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - May 21st, 2021. NHL.com.
68. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - May 23rd, 2021. NHL.com.
69. Web site: Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - May 25th, 2021. NHL.com.
70. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Nashville Predators - May 27th, 2021. NHL.com.
71. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - May 30th, 2021. NHL.com.
72. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - June 1st, 2021. NHL.com.
73. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Tampa Bay Lightning - June 3rd, 2021. NHL.com.
74. Web site: Carolina Hurricanes - Tampa Bay Lightning - June 5th, 2021. NHL.com.
75. Web site: Tampa Bay Lightning - Carolina Hurricanes - June 8th, 2021. NHL.com.