Montreal was initially treated as an overmatched, quaint overachiever, but the team quickly challenged that view. After early uncertainty, Montreal scored four goals in response to Carolina’s first, raising questions about whether Carolina had too much rest or whether Montreal was the real contender. Goaltending performance, including the possibility of a breakout from Jakub Dobes, also became a factor. Game 1 ended with Montreal winning 6-2 by blitzing early, surviving a second-period response, and controlling the third period. Montreal’s path included prior seventh-game wins over Tampa and Buffalo, while Carolina’s perspective emphasized rust and a failed attempt to regain momentum, with Game 2 expected to clarify issues.
"A Carolinian observer might note that their heroes were rusty in the first period from too much time off, made a valiant but failed effort to seize back the initiative, and took the third period off so as not to waste energy chasing a running dog down a beach in an advancing tide, and that Game 2 will address all noteworthy"
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