Carolina Hurricanes Jackson Blake Receives a Crucial Advice From Dad Before First Stanley Cup Playoff Journey

A 21-year-old rookie, stepping onto the NHL playoff ice for the first time, with the wisdom of his dad—a former NHL veteran—ringing in his ears. That’s Jackson Blake, the Carolina Hurricanes’ rising star, who’s already outshining his father, Jason Blake, in one key area: playoff success. While Jason played 871 regular-season games but never advanced past the first round in six playoff runs, Jackson has carved his own path in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Washington Capitals and in the conference finals against the Florida Panthers.

Jackson’s journey to this moment has been shaped by a mix of childhood memories and recent experiences. As a 7-year-old, he watched his dad compete for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2011 playoffs. As a toddler, he was too young to grasp Jason’s earlier postseason stints with the New York Islanders in 2004 and 2007. More recently, Jackson cheered from home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and soaked up the atmosphere as the Hurricanes’ “Black Ace” last season. Those moments, combined with his dad’s advice, have steadied him for the intensity of playoff hockey.

NHLonTNT tweeted on their X handle, “Jackson Blake’s dad Jason played in 30 career playoff games and had some advice for his son’s first Stanley Cup Playoff journey ,” On being asked about what was the advice, Jackson was clear. “I mean, obviously, he was in it six or seven years, so he had a little bit of experience. Yeah, he pretty much just told me it’s pretty much regular season, but ramped up times too. And I mean, I’ve learned that pretty quick here.” Jackson Blake said.

Jackson quickly grasped the truth in those words. “Every game seems to be pretty tight and pretty close, but, you know, I can’t really change your game too much. Just got to do what you did in the regular season and try to ramp it up a little bit.” His dad’s advice was clear—don’t overhaul your game, just elevate it.

And elevate it, he has. Despite his 5-foot-11, 178-pound frame, Jackson has looked unfazed in high-pressure moments. He’s tallied six points (three goals, three assists) in twelve playoff games, including a power-play goal in a 4-0 rout of the Capitals in Game 3. His versatility shines as he’s shuffled between the top and fourth lines, maintaining his impact. On the Hurricanes’ power play, which boasts a 30.0 percent success rate (9-for-30), Jackson holds down on his own at the net front. His ice time has surged to 18:00 per game in the playoffs, a big jump from his 13:51 in the regular season, where he notched 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 80 games. Among the Hurricanes’ forwards, only Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis have logged more minutes.

Jackson Blake's dad Jason played in 30 career playoff games and had some advice for his son's first Stanley Cup Playoff journey pic.twitter.com/6Q3AcYJsch

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) May 22, 2025

Jackson’s NHL debut on April 16, 2024, felt like a “throwaway game” since the Hurricanes had nothing at stake. But a preseason game against the Florida Panthers on September 28, where he scored and played 17:23 over 23 shifts, gave him confidence he was NHL-ready. That belief, paired with his dad’s advice, has made Jackson a standout rookie. With a mutual friend in Raleigh, Colin Muldoon, tying the Blakes to Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, Jackson’s playoff journey feels like destiny unfolding.

Jackson Blake’s strategy against the playoffs’ most physical team

The Florida Panthers are rewriting the NHL playbook, and Jackson Blake knows it. As they charged into their third straight Eastern Conference Final, this team got everyone rethinking what it took to win in today’s game. Facing off against Rod Brind’Amour’s disciplined Carolina Hurricanes, the Panthers are one step away from a historic third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance—something that their archrivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, pulled off in full-length seasons as recently as 2019 through till 2022. That’s no small feat.

When Blake was asked about the mindset of taking on the Panthers, the league’s most physical squad, he didn’t hesitate. “They’re one of the most physical teams I’ve ever played against,” he said. “They’ve got some big boys over there. All their D are huge.” But the Canes aren’t exactly pint-sized either. Blake grinned, pointing out, “We’ve got pretty big boys too, like Karras. He was throwing some lumber last game.” Even as one of the smaller guys himself, Blake’s ready to lean in—literally. “I can be a little more physical too,” he said, “and try to finish their D as much as I can.”

Florida’s roster backs up that statement on physicality. With only three players under six feet—Evan Rodrigues, Mackie Samoskevich, and trade-deadline steal Brad Marchand—and just four under 190 pounds, this team’s built like a brick wall. Ten guys stand 6-foot-3 or taller, and another ten tip the scales over 200 pounds. But it’s not just size. Even their smallest player, Marchand (5-foot-9, 180 pounds), plays like a wrecking ball—fore-checking hard, winning puck battles, and holding down on his own.

The Panthers’ versatility is what makes them a nightmare to face. They can out-skate you in a track meet, lock you down in a defensive grind, or suffocate you on the forecheck, like they did to the Maple Leafs in Games 5 and 7. With speed, size, and a relentless swarm mentality, Florida’s proving they can beat you in any way you want to play. For Blake and the Carolina Hurricanes, it’s all about matching Panthers’ physicality while staying true to their multifaceted game. This series is gonna be a war.

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