By Peter Koutroumpis
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Nashville Predators in First Round play of the 2021 NHL Playoffs starting Mon. May 17 at 8 p.m. at PNC Arena.
Matching up for the first time ever in the postseason, both teams became more than familiar with one another this season, playing eight times with Carolina staking claim to a 6-2 record over the Predators.
Earning a playoff spot for the third year in a row, Carolina owns a 26-17 all-time postseason record at PNC Arena, including a 5-2 record during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Hurricanes clinched first place in the Central Division with a 36-12-8 record overall, marking their first division title since 2005-06 as members of the Southeast Division, while the Predators secured fourth place with a 31-23-2 ledger.
In the other Divisional series, the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning (36-17-3) will face off against the Florida Panthers (37-14-5).
The winners of each series will then compete for a spot in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.
In their 23-year history in North Carolina, the Hurricanes have advanced to the Conference Final four times, the Stanley Cup Final twice, and captured a Stanley Cup championship in 2006.
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Carolina Hurricanes: 2021 NHL Playoffs – First Round schedule
| Day | Date | Opponent | Time | Venue | Networks |
| Mon. | May 17 | Nashville | 8:00 p.m. | PNC Arena | BSSO, CNBC, SNE, TVA Sports |
| Wed. | May 19 | Nashville | 8:00 p.m. | PNC Arena | BSSO, CNBC, FX-CA, TVA Sports |
| Fri. | May 21 | at Nashville | 7:00 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | BSSO, USA, FXX-CA, TVA Sports |
| Sun. | May 23 | at Nashville | TBD | Bridgestone Arena | TBD |
| *Tue. | May 25 | Nashville | TBD | PNC Arena | TBD |
| *Thurs. | May 27 | at Nashville | TBD | Bridgestone Arena | TBD |
| *Sat. | May 29 | Nashville | TBD | PNC Arena | TBD |
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Peter Koutroumpis: 401-323-8960, @pksport