The Canadiens win the opening game of the Eastern Conference Final, injury updates for the Ducks and Sabres, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: A four-goal first period powered the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky (NHL Images).
Alexandre Texier’s first-period goal was the game-winner. Juraj Slafkovsky scored twice and collected an assist, Nick Suzuki had three assists, and Jakub Dobes made 25 saves for the Canadiens.
Seth Jarvis and Eric Robinson scored for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen gave up five goals on 21 shots. Game 2 of this series is on Saturday, May 23, at 7 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens deserve credit for adjusting to the Hurricanes’ aggressive forecheck and smothering defense following their long second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres. They responded quickly to Jarvis’ game-opening goal 33 seconds into the first period with Cole Caufield’s game-tying snipe coming 27 seconds later.
The Habs set a franchise record for the fastest four goals (11:32) to start a playoff road game. The Hurricanes gave up more goals in this game than they did in the entirety of their previous series against the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.
Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin shouldered the blame for this loss after being on the ice for three of the Canadiens’ first four goals. “Personally, I think I handed them the game,” Slavin said. “I’ve got to be better.”
Slavin didn’t have a good game, but he wasn’t the sole culprit for the Hurricanes’ loss. The entire team was rusty following a 12-day layoff between series.
That issue was apparent during the first period, resulting in odd-man rushes for Montreal. They played better in the second period, slowing the Canadiens’ movement through the neutral zone and mounting sustained pressure in the offensive zone. However, they failed to sufficiently break through the Habs’ solid defense and Dobes’ goaltending.
The Canadiens should expect a better effort from the Hurricanes for Game 2.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres provided end-of-season injury updates for several players.
Defenseman Owen Power suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain in Game 5 of their series with the Canadiens. Center Tage Thompson was dealing with “some lower-back stuff” for most of the postseason.
Defenseman Logan Stanley dealt with an undisclosed injury and was scratched from the final four games of the second round. Forward Sam Carrick returned too early from a left-arm injury that sidelined him for the final 15 games of the regular season. He played briefly in Game 3 against the Canadiens and sat out the final four games.
Forward Justin Danforth was close to returning from a broken kneecap suffered during the fourth game of the regular season. Forward Noah Ostlund suffered a lower-body injury during Game 5 of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins. He would’ve been ready to play later in the Eastern Conference Final had the Sabres advanced.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: These players are expected to be ready for training camp in September.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anaheim Ducks winger Troy Terry will undergo surgery for a chronic hip impingement during the offseason, and it’s questionable if he’ll be ready to start next season.
Winger Cutter Gauthier suffered a transverse process fracture late in the regular season.
Center Ryan Poehling suffered a concussion after a hit from Brayden McNabb in Game 5 of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. He’s since been cleared of symptoms.
Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov suffered an MCL sprain late in the season. He is expected to be ready for the start of next season.
Blueliner Radko Gudas was dealing with a sprained ankle.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Boston Bruins have parted ways with assistant coach Jay Leach.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals hired Ray Bennett as an assistant coach, replacing Kirk Muller. Bennett previously served as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders.
RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico profiled Vancouver Giants center Mathis Preston, who struggled with adversity this season, including health issues and a trade from the Spokane Chiefs. However, a solid performance in the U-18 World Championship could boost his stock in the 2026 NHL Draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Preston was projected to be a top-10 pick, but his struggles sent his stock tumbling. Nevertheless, he could be a good pickup later in the first round or early in the second.