Carolina’s Mark Jankowski (77) checks Montréal’s Lane Hutson (48) during the second period of the Hurricanes’ game against the Canadiens in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Lenovo Center Thursday, May, 21, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 How did Carolina’s long layoff before the Eastern Conference Final affect their performance against Montreal?

#2 How did the Montreal Canadiens respond after the early goal by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

#3 Which player had the biggest impact offensively for the Canadiens in Game 1 against the Hurricanes?

#4 What role did goaltending play in the outcome of the Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 1 matchup?

#5 What adjustments should the Hurricanes make before Game 2 to slow down Montreal’s transition offense?

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com