The Carolina Hurricanes made history in the first two rounds, becoming the first team in NHL history to sweep the first two rounds in a best-of-seven format. Heading into Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Carolina Hurricanes were the heavy favorites over an inexperienced Canadiens’ squad.
The Canadiens stunned the Hurricanes in Game 1, winning 6-2 and stealing home ice. It was a necessary reality check for a Carolina team that has gone eight games without any real adversity, but what can the Hurricanes take away from a disappointing Game 1 loss?
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Overaggression doesn’t work against the Canadiens’ quick counterattack
The Hurricanes’ success is built upon wearing teams down with a heavy forecheck and unrelenting pressure through the neutral zone. That playstyle has worked through the first two rounds, but Game 1 showed how it feeds into Montreal’s strengths.
Looking at the first goal, the Hurricanes’ first was caught with all three forwards below the hashmarks as the play transitioned the other way. That overextension allowed for a numbers advantage the other way, which the likes of Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský, and Nick Suzuki will generally capitalize on.
The biggest difference between the Canadiens and the Hurricanes’ first two opponents is Montreal’s ability to break the puck out quickly. Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson thrive against teams that over-commit on the forecheck, as when they break the forecheck, their teammates are left with odd-man rushes the other way.
The Canadiens took advantage of this again on the 4-1 goal when K’Andre Miller challenged the play on his partner’s side of the ice, allowing Alex Newhook to make a nice seam pass, finding Ivan Demidov.
The Hurricanes’ competition — or the lack thereof
You can only beat who you play in the postseason, but the Hurricanes’ opponents have been relatively lackluster thus far. The Canadiens were a part of two grueling series against a legitimate Cup contender in the Tampa Bay Lightning and the division-winning Buffalo Sabres.
The Hurricanes, on the other hand, faced an Ottawa Senators team that squeaked into the postseason and a Philadelphia Flyers squad devoid of superstar talent. This isn’t to take away from the Hurricanes, who have been the best team in the Eastern Conference all season, but it does provide necessary context for their ‘historic’ start.
The sweep against the Senators was a genuinely impressive feat, but the underlying numbers suggested the success was unsustainable. Goalie Frederik Andersen posted a .955 save percentage after a rocky regular season, where he recorded a .874 save percentage in only 35 games played.
Andersen’s start to the playoffs has been a great story, but it’s unlikely the 36-year-old can keep playing at an elite level given his history.
Additionally, the top line was a non-factor in the series, with Seth Jarvis recording two points and zero goals in the first round. The second line of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake has been lights out, but the top players will need to be much better against an electric Montreal offense.
Martin St. Louis is one of the best coaches in the world
The Canadiens are the youngest team ever to make the NHL playoffs, with an average age of 25.8 years, but you’d never know it watching them.
St. Louis has taken one of the youngest cores in the league to the conference finals, allowing them to play with creativity and an offensive mindset while instilling a solid defensive structure.
Game 1 saw his team solve a Carolina squad that had looked unbeatable to start the postseason – taking advantage of the Hurricanes’ bread and butter.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour has earned a reputation as one of the best coaches in the league, but consistent playoff exits have muddied his resume. Great coaches get more out of less, and if the Hurricanes fail to meet expectations again, Brind’Amour’s reputation as a top coach may come into question.
No one would blame a young team for dropping a game against the best home team in the league, but the Canadiens stepped up to the occasion — another showcase of St. Louis’ genius.
Game 2 will be crucial for the Hurricanes, who can’t afford to go down 2-0 with the series heading to Montreal for Games 3 and 4. The defense will have to return to form and adapt to a Montreal offense that thrives in transition and on the counterattack.
