The Carolina Hurricanes are in an unfamiliar position. Then again, it also feels all too familiar. For the first time this postseason, the Hurricanes have lost a game. It would be one thing if the loss came in the first or second round. However, it's the Eastern Conference Finals, so people are already fearing the worst. It's just one loss, so it's not quite time to panic.
Game 1: The Canes' good time lasted 33 seconds in the opening game. Seth Jarvis scored on the second shift of the contest. From there, it was pretty much all downhill. Montreal responded 27 seconds later before adding three more goals by the end of the first period. Eric Robinson scored the only goal in the second period, but Montreal went on to take the first game, 6-2.
On the Other Side: Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens had a clear game plan for the first game, and they executed it to perfection against a well-rested squad. Their transition game was incredible, setting up several odd-man and breakaway chances against Frederik Andersen. In one game, they scored as many goals against Andersen as Ottawa or Philadelphia did in an entire series.
A big reason for that was the contributions from their entire team. Their top line will get much of the praise, and deservedly so after combining for eight points, but it goes beyond those three forwards. Phillip Danault had a goal and an assist as well. Ten Canadiens found the scoresheet, and that didn't include Lane Hutson, who'd led the team in points coming into the game.
What to Watch in Game 2
The first ten minutes (again): I think we need to run this one back. I had this as something to watch in Game 1, and it proved to be very important. The Canes got the first one, but Montreal scored three before the first half of the period was up. They improved their streak to nine straight games with a goal in the first eight minutes, doing so twice on Thursday.
With the first game behind them and a sour taste left in their mouths, I'm expecting a more determined team to come out in Game 2. The Canes haven't lost consecutive games in regulation since a three-game stretch in late December and early January, which included a loss to Montreal. They haven't lost two straight games of any kind since mid-January in Detroit and St. Louis.
Defense gets back to form: To call the Hurricanes' defense in Game 1 "bad" would be a massive understatement. There were glimpses of good moments in the offensive zone during the game, but the neutral and defensive zones were abysmal. The Canes' bread and butter was chewed up and spit out by the Canadiens' attack.
No one shouldered the loss more than Jaccob Slavin. He was a team-worst -4 for the game, and his defensive partner, Jalen Chatfield, was a -3. Slavin felt he "handed them the game." There was one goal in particular when Slavin lost sight of his man, allowing him to get open for an easy goal. Knowing his work ethic, we should see a revitalized Slavin tonight to get his team back even with Montreal.
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