Hurricanes’ Taylor Hall goes full Eric Staal amid Game 5 outburst vs. Canadiens

The Carolina Hurricanes can advance to the Stanley Cup Final with a win on Friday night. And they are well on their way to winning the East Final. Carolina is dominating the Montreal Canadiens, with veteran Taylor Hall playing a massive role in their success.

Hall recorded two points in the first period on Friday night. He scored a goal and provided an assist, involving himself in two of Carolina’s three goals in the opening frame. He went on to add another point as the Canes increased their lead to 5-0 before the end of the second period.

This is a notable feat for Hall in what has been an incredible postseason performance for the veteran. He has eight points in series-clinching games for Carolina this postseason. This is a new Hurricanes franchise record, according to NHL Public Relations. He has passed Eric Staal and Cory Stillman, who had seven points each in series-clinching games during the 2006 playoff run.

The Hurricanes have absolutely dominated the Canadiens for much of this series, let alone Game 5. The Canadiens claimed Game 1 in dominant fashion, but it has been a different story following that win.

Carolina has not made the Stanley Cup Final since 2006. Staal and Stillman helped the franchise win its first Stanley Cup in franchise history. This championship stands as the only title the Canes have won at this point. Carolina also made the Final in 2002, losing to the Detroit Red Wings.

It isn’t quite time to start celebrating just yet. Still, it’s hard to blame Carolina fans for getting ahead of themselves. There is one more period to go before Hall and his teammates can officially say they are Eastern Conference Champions.

The post Hurricanes’ Taylor Hall goes full Eric Staal amid Game 5 outburst vs. Canadiens appeared first on ClutchPoints.