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Montréal Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovský (20), center, celebrates his goal with Nick Suzuki (14) and Noah Dobson (53) during the third period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
By The Canadian Press

Canadiens look to head home with 2-0 lead over Carolina in Eastern Conference final

May 23, 2026 | 2:00 AM

RALEIGH — The Montreal Canadiens can go home with a commanding lead in the NHL’s Eastern Conference final with a win tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2.

The battle-tested Canadiens beat the well-rested Hurricanes 6-2 in the series opener Wednesday in Raleigh.

It was the first loss of these playoffs for the Hurricanes, who returned from an 11-day layoff Wednesday after sweeping their way through the first two rounds.

Montreal, meanwhile, survived a pair of tough seven-game series that saw their top forwards shut down at even strength.

That changed in Game 1 of the conference final, when Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky combined for six even-strength points.

After tonight, the series will shift to the raucous Bell Centre in Montreal for Game 3 on Monday.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press