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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Carolina Hurricanes lost for the first time in the 2026 NHL playoffs, falling to the Montreal Canadiens 6-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Read more Canadiens pounce on Hurricanes early in 6-2 win to open Eastern Conference Final
The Canadiens pounced on the Canes early, scoring four goals in the opening period. Seth Jarvis scored for Carolina, but the Habs led 4-1 at the end of the first frame.
Read more Canadiens pounce as Hurricanes emerge from long playoff break with breakdowns, miscues
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Carolina Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov (37) battles for the puck with Montréal Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovský (20) with Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) nearby during the first period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) -
Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jarvis (24) collides with Montréal Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) during the first period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) -
Montréal Canadiens’ Ivan Demidov (93) shoots the puck past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) for a goal during the first period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) -
Carolina Hurricanes’ Taylor Hall (71) crashes into the boards with Montréal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson (48) nearby during the second period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) -
Montréal Canadiens’ Juraj Slafkovský (20) slips the puck past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) for a goal during the third period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
The Canes clawed one back early in the second when Eric Robinson scored his first goal of the postseason, but it was all Montreal again after that. Juraj Slafkovsky scored twice for the visitors, and Cole Caufield, Phillip Danault, Ivan Demidov and Alexandre Texier each found the back of the net once.
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Game 2 is set for Saturday in Raleigh.