Whatever the Hurricanes were expecting, it wasn't four goals in their own net in just 11 minutes and 32 seconds.

The stage is set for the Eastern Conference finals, with the Hurricanes and Canadiens set to compete for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

It's rest vs. rust up against Montreal Magic™ in the Eastern Conference final. The Hurricanes have an edge, but we're in for a treat.

After 11 long days off, the Carolina Hurricanes are back in action in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night. They waited over a week to find

The Canadiens scored four goals in a frantic first period en route to a 6-2 win in Game 1.

Whatever the Hurricanes were expecting, it wasn't four goals in their own net in just 11 minutes and 32 seconds.

The Hurricanes have their psychological hurdles to clear in Game 2, and to a far less urgent extent, so do the Canadiens.

The Canadiens and Hurricanes both scored on their first shot on goal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.

“We're happy that, at least, we can start the series over,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after his team's Game 2 overtime victory.

Carolina's style of play and record in the playoffs have given rise to certain assumptions. This series might be proving them wrong.