The Hurricanes' 2009 playoff run featured two tight series with dramatic finishes. Game 4 of the first-round matchup with the New Jersey Devils saw Stanley Cup playoff history when Jussi Jokinen scored with 0.2 seconds left in regulation to win the game, the latest regulation game-winning goal in NHL history. Then, in game 7, the Devils took a 3–2 lead into the final two minutes of the game at the Prudential Center in Newark before the Hurricanes struck. With 1:20 to play, Tim Gleason saved a puck on his knees at the right point, passed it to Joni Pitkanen on the left boards, who then hit game 4 hero Jussi Jokinen at the far post for the tying goal. Just 48 seconds later, Chad LaRose sprang Eric Staal for a solo down-ice rush to give the Hurricanes 4–3 game and series win; Staal's goal was the latest regulation game 7-winning goal in playoff history. The game 7 comeback would become known as the "Shock at the Rock". In the second-round matchup with the top-seeded Boston Bruins, the Hurricanes ran out to a 3–1 lead before the Bruins battled back for two wins. In game 7 in Boston, Scott Walker scored the game and series winner 18:46 into overtime to send Carolina to the conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins, though, put a decisive end to the Hurricanes' string, sweeping the series 4–0 on the way to their own Stanley Cup championship.
The Hurricanes' 2009 playoff run featured two tight series with dramatic finishes Game 4 of the first-round matchup with the New Jersey Devils saw Stanley Cup playoff history when Jussi Jokinen scored with 02 seconds left in regulation to win the game the latest regulation game-winning goal in NHL history Then in game 7 the Devils took a 3–2 lead into the final two minutes of the game at the Prudential Center in Newark before the Hurricanes struck With 120 to play Tim Gleason saved a puck on his knees at the right point passed it to Joni Pitkanen on the left boards who then hit game 4 hero Jussi Jokinen at the far post for the tying goal Just 48 seconds later Chad LaRose sprang Eric Staal for a solo down-ice rush to give the Hurricanes 4–3 game and series win; Staal's goal was the latest regulation game 7-winning goal in playoff history The game 7 comeback would become known as the "Shock at the Rock" In the second-round matchup with the top-seeded Boston Bruins the Hurricanes ran out to a 3–1 lead before the Bruins battled back for two wins In game 7 in Boston Scott Walker scored the game and series winner 1846 into overtime to send Carolina to the conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins though put a decisive end to the Hurricanes' string sweeping the series 4–0 on the way to their own Stanley Cup championship