Hurricanes look to avoid sweep in 2nd round of NHL playoffs

The Carolina Hurricanes are facing a grim and familiar reality, especially after acquiring forward Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline in a signal that the team viewed this year as its best shot to go all-in as a multi-year Cup contender under Rod Brind'Amour. In what has gone from quirk to frustrating pattern, Carolina has seen its last eight playoff losses come by one-goal margins - with five in overtime - going back to last year's sweep at the hands of Florida in the Eastern Conference Final. The latest was Thursday night, a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. The loss left the Hurricanes on the verge of being swept out of the NHL Playoffs by the Rangers, who are the first team in 16 years to start a postseason at 7-0.