A lightning-fast offensive explosion in the opening period has put the Carolina Hurricanes one victory away from eliminating the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals.
If Carolina can deliver another strong opening when Game 5 takes place Friday in Raleigh, N.C., they will likely secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in their franchise’s existence.
The Hurricanes, playing as the road team, netted three goals within a span of less than three minutes during the first period, while Frederik Andersen stopped 18 shots to lead Carolina to a 4-0 triumph over Montreal in Wednesday’s Game 4.
Despite Carolina’s commanding 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series, Andersen emphasized that his team must maintain their intensity.
“We want to put our minds right to get that job done,” Andersen told TNT. “We know that it doesn’t take any less because we’re up 3-1. We want to continue coming with this attitude and really take it to them. That’s what we’ve been successful with.”
Sebastian Aho netted a power-play goal, while captain Jordan Staal and Logan Stankoven also found the back of the net during a remarkable 2:47 span in the latter portion of the first period. Andrei Svechnikov capped the scoring with an empty-net goal late in the final period.
“We wanted to have a good start, and we got it,” Aho told Sportsnet. “… Couple big goals in the first. Jordan and Stank’s goal, so we extended the lead. I thought it was a solid game for us.”
Andersen stopped three shots in the third period to secure his eighth career postseason shutout and fifth with the Hurricanes, breaking Cam Ward’s franchise record. This marks Andersen’s third shutout of these playoffs, achieving one in each round.
Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere each contributed two assists for the Hurricanes, who made NHL history by becoming just the seventh team to win their first six road games in a single postseason.
Jakub Dobes recorded 39 saves on his 25th birthday for the Canadiens, who have now dropped four consecutive home games and six of eight total contests in Montreal throughout these playoffs.
“It obviously (stinks) to come in here and lose (Games 3 and 4) at home,” Montreal captain Nick Suzuki said. “We gotta focus on Game 5, we can go in there and win and give ourselves a chance to come back in the series.”
Carolina struck first for the fourth consecutive game when Aho’s one-timer from the right circle found its way past Dobes inside the near post with 5:01 left in the opening period.
Aho’s goal marked his 11th career power-play tally in postseason play, surpassing former captain Eric Staal for the franchise record.
The Hurricanes expanded their lead 68 seconds later when defenseman K’Andre Miller moved below the goal line and delivered a backhand centering pass that deflected off Jordan Staal’s stick and into the net. Montreal’s Josh Anderson was battling Jordan Staal in front of the goal during the play.
Gostisbehere blocked a shot attempt by Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, creating a 2-on-1 opportunity that resulted in Jackson Blake setting up Stankoven for his playoff-leading eighth goal just 1:39 later.
“It was my time to lay my body on the line. I’m just happy it went the other way and we got rewarded,” Gostisbehere told Sportsnet.
Dobes stretched out his left pad to stop Blake on a breakaway opportunity, keeping the game scoreless just over two minutes into the contest.
“It seemed like the only guy who showed up was (Dobes),” Hutson said. “We were just not good enough, didn’t answer the bell. The good news is we get another chance to answer the bell.”
