The 2018–19 Carolina Hurricanes season was the 40th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on June 22, 1979 (following seven seasons of play in the World Hockey Association), and 21st season since the franchise relocated from Hartford to start the 1997–98 NHL season. For the first time since 2009, the Hurricanes reached the playoffs, clinching a playoff berth with a 3–1 win against the New Jersey Devils on April 4, 2019. In the playoffs the Hurricanes reached the Conference Finals where they were swept by the Boston Bruins.