The Carolina Hurricanes secured their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years with a convincing 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday night.
“It’s special because they’ve grinded it out with us,” Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said discussing what the moment means for the City of Raleigh. “Night in, night out, supporting us, loud, enthusiastic, but like, they’re behind us. Playing (as) a ‘small market’ team, it’s a community feel. We’re in it with them, and also you form of get that sense. I’m glad for them that they’ve a team like we’re that they may be happy with, because that is what we’re – we’re their team, and I believe they may be happy with the best way we play.”
The victory accomplished a breakthrough postseason run that had been years within the making. Carolina reached the Eastern Conference Final 4 times during Brind’Amour’s eight seasons as coach, starting in 2019, but had previously fallen wanting reaching the Stanley Cup Final. Before Brind’Amour took over in 2018, the Hurricanes had missed the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons. Since then, they’ve qualified yearly and won no less than one playoff series each season.
After dropping Game 1 of the series 6-2 following an 11-day layoff, Carolina responded with 4 consecutive win, outscoring the Canadiens 16-5 during that stretch and 10-1 over the ultimate two games. The Hurricanes improved to 12-1 within the playoffs and have become the primary team for the reason that NHL adopted a best-of-seven format in all 4 rounds in 1986-87 to succeed in the Stanley Cup Final in 13 games or fewer with just one loss.
Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven led the Game 5 attack with one goal and two assists each. Hall opened the scoring and now has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 13 playoff games, including an NHL-leading 14 even-strength points. Stankoven’s first-period goal was his playoff-leading ninth. Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis each recorded a goal and an assist, while Shayne Gostisbehere and Eric Robinson also scored.
Frederik Andersen stopped 23 of 24 shots for his twelfth postseason win and has allowed greater than two goals just once in 13 playoff appearances.
The Hurricanes will now face the Vegas Golden Knights within the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night in Raleigh.
The Carolina Hurricanes secured their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years with a convincing 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday night. “It’s special because they’ve grinded it out with us,” Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said discussing what the moment means for the City of Raleigh.