Hurricanes snap NHL's longest active playoff drought

The last time the Carolina Hurricanes made the playoffs, their head coach, Rod Brind'Amour, was the team's captain.

Carolina clinched its first postseason berth since 2008-09 after defeating the New Jersey Devils combined with the Montreal Canadiens' loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

The Hurricanes' nine-year playoff drought was the longest active streak in the league. Ironically, Thursday is exactly 10 years to the day since they clinched their last playoff spot, according to The Athletic's Sara Civian.

The road to the postseason was never a guarantee for Carolina. The Hurricanes sported a lackluster 16-17-5 record at the end of 2018 but have gone 29-12-2 in the new year.

Carolina's first-round opponent is yet to be determined. The Canes could still finish as high as third in the Metro Division and as low as the second wild-card spot.

The Buffalo Sabres now hold the NHL's longest active drought, having not reached the playoffs since the 2010-11 season.