Four first-period goals propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Montreal fell behind after a Seth Jarvis goal just 33 seconds into the opening frame. However, the Habs reeled off four consecutive goals to pull away in this opening game.
Jakub Dobes had another solid start in goal for Montreal with 24 saves to pick up his second straight win in a hostile environment. Counterpart Frederik Andersen had his first bad start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after allowing those four first-period goals. The Danish goal stopped 16 shots in the loss for Carolina.
Juraj Slafkovsky netted a pair of third-period goals to give the Canadiens some separation. Game 2 will be 7 p.m. Saturday night at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s break down Game 1 of the Canadiens vs Hurricanes series.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 1 Recap
No Rest for the Wicked
The old question of rest versus rust once again reared its head. Carolina looked like it showed no ill effects after Jarvis scored in less than a minute into the game. The Hurricanes looked like they were going win their ninth straight playoff game to match the 1985 Edmonton Oilers.
However, the Canadiens turned the tables and reeled off four consecutive goals. Cole Caufield evened the score quickly with the game-tying goal just 27 seconds later. Phillip Danault, Alexandre Texier, and Ivan Demidov each scored in a span of just over seven minutes for the Canadiens.
There were concerns that the Habs would be worn out by going the distance for a second time in the postseason. Montreal came out flat in Game 1 against the Buffalo Sabres after being taken to seven games by the Tampa Bay Lightning. However, Montreal looked just fine after that early stumble.
An Inner Storm Brewing?
The loss is the first time that the Hurricanes were beaten in the playoffs. Carolina was first team in the modern era to sweep its first two series. The Canes have yet to face adversity in the postseason but now have to find a way to bounce back after a defeat.
(Credit Image: © Alex Cave/ZUMA Press Wire)
Carolina put a lot of shots on net, but Dobes was able to weather the storm in the second period after Eric Robinson scored with just under three minutes in the period. The Canes put 11 shots on goal while limiting the Canadiens to just three in the second frame. However, Montreal got what it wanted in at least getting a split on the road.
The Hurricanes have yet to beat the Canadiens in four meetings between the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Postseason play is a completely different animal, but Carolina has to figure Montreal out quickly if wants to get over the hump and into the Stanley Cup Final.
Young Guns
Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have constructed a young roster, and some thought it would take a couple more seasons to really contend for a title. However, players like Caufield, Nick Suzki, Lane Hutson, and Slafkovsky are not even hitting their primes at this time.
The Canadiens seem to be growing well together and could be a formidable lineup for at least the next few seasons. There’s even more young talent like David Reinbacher and others developing and could be ready to step into the lineup in the next season or two.
This lineup is young, hungry, and filled with offensive talent. However, this team is also willing to do whatever it takes to win. Montreal blocked 29 shots and got in front of pucks to help Dobes out. Teams that do the little things like this are championship ready. Montreal could be ahead of schedule and make Carolina an Eastern Conference bridesmaid once again.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
