The Carolina Hurricanes led the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 after the first period of Game 5 of the Hurricanes-Canadiens Eastern Conference Final on Friday.
Carolina entered the game with a 3-1 series lead. A win would send the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Montreal had an early power play after Andrei Svechnikov went off for tripping. The Canadiens failed to score.
Taylor Hall opened the scoring midway through the period. Montreal challenged the goal but failed.
Logan Stankoven doubled the lead minutes later. He had already assisted on Hall’s opening goal.
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Eric Robinson added Carolina’s third before the first intermission. The goal gave the Hurricanes control of the game. Carolina outshot Montreal 15-4 in the opening period.