Penguins Face Hurricanes Again in Crucial Playoff Push

Pittsburgh looks to widen gap over Islanders and Red Wings in tight Eastern Conference race

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:34pm

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The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Carolina Hurricanes in a crucial matchup as both teams vie for critical points in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Penguins currently hold a three-point lead over the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot, with a game in hand. A win over the Hurricanes would give Pittsburgh a five-point cushion with 11 games remaining.

Why it matters

This game is pivotal for the Penguins as they look to solidify their playoff positioning. The Hurricanes are one of the top teams in the East, so a win over them would be a significant boost for Pittsburgh's postseason hopes. The Penguins and Hurricanes have had some heated matchups recently, adding extra intrigue to this contest.

The details

The Penguins and Hurricanes have split their two most recent meetings, with both games going to extra time. In the first matchup, the Penguins forced overtime with a pair of late goals but ultimately lost in the shootout. In the second game, the teams combined to lose four one-goal leads in the third period, with Carolina winning in overtime.

  • The Penguins and Hurricanes will face off on March 22, 2026.
  • The Penguins currently have a three-point lead over the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot, with a game in hand.

The players

Pittsburgh Penguins

An NHL team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently competing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Carolina Hurricanes

An NHL team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

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What’s next

The Penguins will look to build on their lead over the Islanders and Red Wings with a win over the Hurricanes, while Carolina will aim to close the gap atop the Metropolitan Division.

The takeaway

This game between the Penguins and Hurricanes is a crucial one in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race, with both teams looking to gain an advantage in the standings as the season winds down.