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Carolina Hurricanes: 5 reasons missing the playoffs this season was unacceptable

By Andrew Miller

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: The Carolina Hurricanes fans celebrate after scoring during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on March 17, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 17: The Carolina Hurricanes fans celebrate after scoring during the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on March 17, 2018, at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes talks with Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators as they prepare for a faceoff at Canadian Tire Centre on March 24, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – MARCH 24: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes talks with Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators as they prepare for a faceoff at Canadian Tire Centre on March 24, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

There’s really nothing the Carolina Hurricanes can do at this point to repair the damage of a late season collapse, leading to a rough result for the fans.

For yet another disappointing season in Raleigh, NC, the Carolina Hurricanes missed the playoffs while seriously contending for some significant amount of time. In recent years, it was the lack of contention during the bulk of the season that cost the Canes, because they got hot way too late. However, this season presented the opposite problem under head coach Bill Peters. Since the Canes had the roster, and a wildcard spot halfway through the year, the playoffs should be a reality this time around.

While Carolina is not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention just yet, it’s coming once the New Jersey Devils compile some more wins. The Canes sit seven points outside of a playoff spot at this moment, with a March 22 home victory over the Arizona Coyotes, by the final score of 6-5. While that win over the Yotes was a thrilling matchup to watch, it does not mean much for the bigger picture of the organization.

Now, the Canes need to focus on building up the younger talent to make a significant contribution to the team’s success through the 2018-19 campaign. Due to some recent season-ending injuries to key players like Victor Rask, Brett Pesce, and Noah Hanifin, Carolina had to move up some of the more promising Charlotte Checkers.

Those injuries do create opportunities for some younger guys to make an impact with Peters and the front office. Considering the disappointment this season’s result for the Canes, hopefully something good comes from it.

Here’s five reasons missing the playoffs for the ninth consecutive year is unacceptable for the Carolina Hurricanes.

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