3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 5-4 Game 1 Loss to Golden Knights

Just like Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes dropped the first game of the series. However, unlike the series against the Montreal Canadiens, the Vegas Golden Knights come with a different style of play and roster makeup. It was a tightly contested game all the way until the end. In the end, the Hurricanes lost 5-4, going down 1-0 in the series. Despite the loss, there are some positives to take away, plus there’s some stuff to learn from, too.

Takeaway #1: Ehlers Continues to Shine in First Season in Raleigh

After having a career season in his first go-around with the Hurricanes, Nikolaj Ehlers continues to shine in Raleigh. He finished the regular season with 26 goals and 71 points, with career highs in points and assists (45). So far, through 13 of 14 games played, Ehlers has six goals and 11 points. He scored the first two goals of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, one of them being 25 seconds into the contest.

The only players to score quicker to begin a Stanley Cup Final are Sid Smith (1951 Toronto Maple Leafs: 15 seconds) and Reggie Leach (1976 Philadelphia Flyers: 21 seconds). Ehlers continues to show why the Hurricanes signed him this past summer to a six-year, $8.5 million deal. Including Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, Ehlers has scored four goals and tallied seven assists in the last five games.

The Hurricanes have always been told that they need a playmaker who can make an impact in all facets of the game. When it comes to Ehlers, he has been that guy and then some for Rod Brind’Amour’s side. While the second line has been getting a lot of attention so far through the playoffs, the third line of Ehlers, Jordan Staal, and Jordan Martinook has been impactful in the 200-foot game. That being said, even the captain got into the scoring in Game 1.

Takeaway #2: Despite Loss, There are Positives From Game 1

While Ehlers scored the first two goals for the Hurricanes in Game 1, Staal added one of his own, giving the third line three of the Hurricanes’ four goals in the opening contest. It was Staal’s first Stanley Cup Final goal since June 9, 2009, against the Detroit Red Wings. For context, that was 6,202 days ago as of Game 1 on Tuesday night (June 2). Staal and Ehlers were two of the seven players to score 20 or more goals during the regular season, and now they can add Stanley Cup Final goals to the season overall.

When asked about the Staal line basically carrying the momentum for much of the game, Brind’Amour stated, “They were great. They had a tough matchup. They did their part, for sure. Gave us a chance. What more can you say?”

That line tallied three points, all goals, in Game 1, with more chances as the game progressed. Outside of that, there were some good opportunities for other players in the lineup. Shayne Gostisbehere scored his third goal in the last five games, two in the last two games, including Game 5 against the Canadiens. Despite blaming himself for “taking a breath” leading to the game-winning goal for the Golden Knights, Gostisbehere is still showing why he is not only an offensive defenseman, but someone who has adapted a two-way mentality while in Carolina.

Another positive to take away was the penalty kill staying red-hot as always. They went 3-for-3 in Game 1, not giving the fourth-best power play a chance to take advantage. Despite the power play going 0-for-2, there is some aspect of the special teams that has a bright spot. Once the other aspect gets rolling, the Hurricanes could be fully rolling at full steam.

Takeaway #3: Bounce Back in Game 2 on Thursday Night

While they never want to go down 1-0 in a series, especially the Stanley Cup Final, the Hurricanes have bounced back before. When asked about the confidence of this group, which has bounced back after a loss in these playoffs, Seth Jarvis stated, “I have a ton of confidence in this group. We’ve bounced back before, and we felt like we were right there tonight. Just clean up a few things and move on from there.”

The next step is to move on and show how they will respond in Game 2 on Thursday night (June 4), as they look to even up the series. While the Golden Knights are a whole different animal compared to the teams they faced in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes have shown they can adapt and be ready for the next game. This team is laser-focused and ready to get back to work on Thursday as they seek to head back out west tied 1-1.