Hurricanes’ Jaccob Slavin rips Game 1 disaster: ‘I handed them the game’

When Seth Jarvis scored in the first 33 seconds of Thursday’s Eastern Conference Finals opener against the Montreal Canadiens, it looked as if the Carolina Hurricanes were going to pick up where they left off 12 days earlier. Their dominant Stanley Cup Playoffs run ended abruptly, however, as the Habs immediately responded 27 seconds later. Cole Haufield, Phillip Danault, Alexandre Texier and Ivan Demidov all scored before the first period concluded.

The Hurricanes’ blue line scuffled severely in this 6-2 home loss, which marked the team’s first defeat of the postseason. Jaccob Slavin claimed ownership of the poor performance.

“Personally, I think I handed them the game,” the veteran defenseman told reporters, per Walt Ruff. “I’ve got to be better.”

Slavin was a squad-worst -4 in 20:49 time of ice. The long layoff likely played a factor in the struggles, but fans will have some concern regarding the 32-year-old native of Denver, Colorado. His head coach’s comments might even add to their distress.

“Rod Brind’Amour said he’s never seen a night like that from the steady defender in eight years,” Ruff posted on X after Game 1. But he is not giving up on the two-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner.

“He’ll bounce back,” Brind’Amour declared. Jaccob Slavin will need to validate those words if Carolina is going to capture momentum in this series. The Hurricanes must adjust to the Canadiens’ pace and wear down their opponent.

Inexcusable mistakes will not fly at this stage. Desperate to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, the Canes must tighten up quick. Game 2 is Saturday night in the Lenovo Center.

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