<p>For the seventh year running, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/line-combinations">Carolina Hurricanes</a> are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.</p>



<p>Following a 5-1 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/line-combinations">Washington Capitals</a> on Wednesday, the Hurricanes improved to 46-24-4 to punch their ticket to the postseason, where they appear poised to take on the Metropolitan Division rival <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/line-combinations">New Jersey Devils</a>.</p>



<p>This season, Carolina has once again been headlined by 27-year-old Finnish-born center Sebastian Aho who through 73 appearances leads the Hurricanes with near point-per-game production counting 28 goals and 42 assists. A second-round selection from the 2015 NHL Draft, Aho has seen 671 career contests with the Hurricanes in which he has collected 627 points to rank third all-time in franchise scoring.</p>



<p>Also up front, the Hurricanes continue to see the emergence of 23-year-old center Seth Jarvis who has reached the 30-goal plateau for the second year running as part of a 60-point effort through 67 games this season.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="152"></div>



<p>Earlier this season, the Hurricanes made headlines with their blockbuster addition of Mikko Rantanen from the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/colorado-avalanche/line-combinations">Colorado Avalanche</a>. Later unable to come to terms on an extension with the then pending unrestricted free agent, the Hurricanes flipped Rantanen to the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/dallas-stars/line-combinations">Dallas Stars</a> in a deal that returned diminutive forward Logan Stankoven. Since arriving in Raleigh, the 22-year-old has scored three times and added three assists for six points in 11 games.</p>



<p>While the Hurricanes bring a balanced attack offensively, the club is noted for its defensive prowess. Entering Wednesday action, the Hurricanes had allowed the fourth-fewest goals league wide, while the club’s 84.7 percent proficiency while shorthanded sat tied with the Stars for the best mark in the NHL.</p>



<p>The Hurricanes return to the postseason with hopes of claiming the franchise’s second-ever Stanley Cup championship, and first since 2006. Last spring, the Hurricanes exited in the second round of the playoffs following a six-game set with the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-rangers/line-combinations">New York Rangers</a>.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="160"></div>
