A dream start in the Eastern Conference Finals quickly eroded into a Game 1 nightmare for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.
The Hurricanes, coming off a 12-day hiatus after sweeping their second-round series against Ottawa, got a goal from Seth Jarvis just 33 seconds into the first period.
Then the wheels came off.
The Canadiens answered less than 30 seconds later, and added three more first-period goals in about an 11-minute span to take a 4-1 lead and stun the sellout crowd at Lenovo Center.
Hurricanes fans are ready for hockey to return after 12 days off.
Eric Robinson got one back for the Canes 2:46 into the second period, but a third-period score from Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky virtually ended any hopes of a comeback.
Montreal added an empty-netter late in the third for the final margin.
After a 12 day layoff, the Canes score in 33 seconds.
Seth Jarvis has this place jumpin early. pic.twitter.com/yZiSz5icTE
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) May 22, 2026
Carolina will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Saturday night at Lenovo Center.
Who better to #SoundTheSiren than NC State football coach Dave Doeren‼️
it’s Lit at the Lenny 🌀🐺 pic.twitter.com/yWruElP7wY
— Travon Miles (@TrayABC11) May 22, 2026
This story will be updated.
The Carolina Hurricanes had a lengthy stretch off after sweeping through the first two rounds. Now, they’re back on ice Thursday night against Montreal.