After a slow start to the 2008-09 season, Cup-winning coach Peter Laviolette was fired in early December and replaced by his own predecessor, Paul Maurice. Teetering on the edge of the playoff picture again, the club, on February 7, acquired utility forward Jussi Jokinen from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Wade Brookbank, Josef Melichar and Carolina’s fourth-round draft pick in 2009 (later traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto was forced to forfeit the pick as punishment for a violation of Jonas Frogren's contract) and reacquired winger Erik Cole from Edmonton at the March trade deadline and proceeded on a 12-3-2 run to close out the season. The stretch run included nine straight wins, matching a franchise record from the 2005-06 season, and capped off a streak of 12 straight home wins, which set a new franchise mark. The team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with 97 points, the second-most points in franchise history. They earned a first-round matchup with the New Jersey Devils.
Carolina lost Game 1 4-1 in New Jersey before winning Game 2 in overtime. Tim Gleason scored the winner after not scoring a single goal during the entire regular season. Game 3 was once again played in overtime but Carolina lost this game falling behind 2-1 in the series. Game 4 saw Stanley Cup History when Jokinen scored with .2 seconds left in regulation to win the game. Jokinen's goal is the latest game winning goal in a regulation game in Stanley Cup History. Game 5 returned to New Jersey and saw Martin Brodeur save all 44 shots on him recording his NHL playoff record tying 23rd playoff shut out (tied with Patrick Roy). Cam Ward saved 41 shots on the other end but the Canes lost 1-0. The combined 85 saves is an NHL record for combined saves in a regulation playoff game. Game 6 saw the Canes dominate the Devils as they shut them out 4-0. Game 7, like the series, went back and forth. The Devils had the lead 3-2 in the last few minutes of the game before the Canes struck. Tim Gleason saved a puck on his knees from leaving the offensive zone, passed it to Joni Pitkanen who then saw Game 4 hero Jussi Jokinen wide open and Jokinen tied the game up with 1:20 to play. Just 48 seconds later, Eric Staal scored to give the Canes the 4-3 win and also the win the series. Staal's goal is the latest regulation game 7 winning goal in playoff history.
The second round had the Canes matched up with the top seeded Boston Bruins. Carolina defeated the Bruins in seven games, winning the seventh game in OT. In the Conference Finals, the Canes lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to zero.
