Hurricanes shut out Canadiens 4-0 in Game 4, edge closer to Stanley Cup Final berth

Carolina Hurricanes took a commanding step toward the Stanley Cup Final with a dominant 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday. With the victory, Carolina now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can clinch a Finals berth for the third time in franchise history with a win in Game 5 on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.


The game swung heavily in visiting Carolina side’s favor during a blistering stretch late in the first period, when the Hurricanes scored three goals in just 2:47. Sebastian Aho opened the scoring on the power play with a precise one-timer from the right circle, giving Carolina its fourth straight series game with the opening goal. Moments later, Jordan Staal redirected a centering pass from defenseman K’Andre Miller to double the lead, before Logan Stankoven finished a 2-on-1 rush off a setup from Jackson Blake to make it 3-0 in quick succession.



Andrei Svechnikov sealed the win with an empty-net goal late in the third period, while Frederik Andersen delivered a standout performance in net. The veteran goaltender stopped all 18 shots he faced to earn his eighth career postseason shutout, his fifth with Carolina, setting a new franchise record. Andersen has now recorded three shutouts this postseason, one in each round.


Nikolaj Ehlers and Shayne Gostisbehere each contributed two assists, helping Carolina become just the seventh team in NHL history to win its first six road games in a single postseason.

Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes made 39 saves on his birthday but could not prevent Montreal from dropping its fourth straight home playoff game. The Canadiens have now lost six of their last eight postseason games in Montreal as Carolina’s relentless attack proved decisive once again.