Hurricanes' Path Set as East Awaits Game 7

Carolina can only prepare for what it knows, and right now the conference-final path is waiting on one more Eastern verdict. That is the cruel part of playoff scheduling - one series ends and another contender gets a very different road. The Hurricanes have to stay sharp without knowing the exact opponent yet, which is easier said than done this time of year. In May, the bracket has a way of turning patience into a competitive edge.