Canadiens use quick start to steal Game 1 from rusty Hurricanes in Eastern Conference Final
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Canadiens scored four goals in the first period, taking advantage of the Hurricanes' long postseason break. Juraj Slafkovský contributed two goals for Montreal, while Carolina struggled to maintain their playoff momentum.
- ▪Montreal scored four first-period goals against Carolina, who had the longest postseason break in over a century.
- ▪Cole Caufield and Phillip Danault scored early, leading to a surprising 4-1 lead for the Canadiens.
- ▪Juraj Slafkovský scored twice in the third period, helping secure the victory for Montreal.
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NHL Canadiens use quick start to steal Game 1 from rusty Hurricanes in Eastern Conference Final By Associated Press Published May 21, 2026, 11:23 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google RALEIGH, N.C. — The Montreal Canadiens pounced for four first-period goals on slow-starting Carolina — coming off the longest postseason break in more than a century — and handed the Hurricanes their first loss of the playoffs with a 6-2 victory Thursday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. Cole Caufield and Phillip Danault scored in the opening four minutes, Alexandre Texier followed four minutes later, and Ivan Demidov finished a breakaway for a shocking 4-1 lead midway through the opening period.
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