Jackson Blake, Hurricanes Move Win From Stanley Cup Final After 4-0 Game 4
jackson blake and the Carolina Hurricanes reached Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final one win from the Stanley Cup Final after a 4-0 victory over the Canadiens in Game 4. Carolina’s 11-1 playoff record going in left Montreal needing a response and put the Hurricanes in position to face the Vegas Golden Knights if they close it out.
Brind’Amour in the moment
Rod Brind’Amour framed the task plainly on Thursday at the team hotel before Game 5. “I think you can’t look at the big picture, and I think we’ve done a really nice job of focusing in on what’s important, which is now going to be tomorrow,” he said.
He added, “Going about figuring out how to win that day. I think that’s sort of the businesslike approach: Show up, do your job and then worry about the next day.” That has been the message even as Carolina has changed by adding more talent to the roster.
Staal on the machine
Jordan Staal used one word for the way the group has functioned. “We’ve called it the machine before,” the captain said, “And we’ve just kept it running, and it didn’t stop.”
That description fit more than the scoreboard. The Hurricanes had overwhelmed Montreal over the past three games, holding the Canadiens to 43 shots across that span while generating 43 shots themselves in Game 4 alone.
Carolina’s playoff run
The first loss of the postseason came in Game 1, a 6-2 defeat. Since then, the Hurricanes have won the next three and built the series edge that now gives them a chance to finish the Eastern Conference final on Friday.
Staal said, “You just kind of want to keep it running and keep doing what you’re doing.” Carolina’s top line has delivered game-winning goals in consecutive games, K’Andre Miller has emerged as a star, and Jaccob Slavin has bounced back from an uncharacteristic Game 1 to his usual level. That leaves the Hurricanes in the exact place they wanted: one win away from the final and still playing with the same routine that carried them here.
