Canadiens steal Game 1 against Hurricanes, propelled by four-goal first period

The Montreal Canadiens stunned the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1, winning 6-2. Tonight was the first loss of the postseason for the Hurricanes, who swept the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers in the first two rounds.

The Hurricanes jumped out to a 1-0 lead only 33 seconds in, courtesy of Seth Jarvis. The forecheck of Sebastian Aho was too much for Alex Newhook to handle – the exact sort of aggressive play that the Hurricanes have built their success on all season long.

The lead was uncharacteristically short-lived for the Hurricanes, with Cole Caufield tying the game less than a minute after the Jarvis tally. The Jarvis line got caught out of position after overextending on the forecheck, which would quickly become a trend on the night.

It was an important goal for Caufield, who had only scored one goal at even strength coming into tonight. His line’s ability to generate offense at 5-on-5 will be crucial against the league’s best defensive team.

Three minutes later, the Hurricanes’ forecheck was exposed again. Shayne Gostisbehere and Jarvis carelessly pinched in the neutral zone, leaving Phillip Danault all alone on the breakaway, giving Montreal a 2-1 lead.

The defensive coverage seemed off for the Hurricanes, who haven’t played in 12 days after sweeping the Flyers.

Alexandre Texier made it 3-1 off a turnover by Jalen Chatfield, the first time the Hurricanes allowed three goals in a game this postseason.

It took the Canadiens less than 10 minutes to break the impressive streak.

The quick transition play of the Canadiens burned the aggressive Hurricanes’ structure for the fourth time as Ivan Demidov went backhand-forehand to make it 4-1.