The Long Pause: When Rest Meets Momentum in the NHL Playoffs The Carolina Hurricanes' 11 day layoff between their second round sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers and their upcoming Eastern Conference finals matchup against the Montreal Canadiens is a peculiar anomaly in modern professional hockey.
This break, which has been 107 years in the making since an NHL team last experienced such a long pause, raises questions about the balance between rest and momentum.
At first glance, it might seem logical for the Hurricanes to be reinvigorated by this extended respite, given their impressive 11 0 record thus far in these playoffs.