Hurricanes-Canadiens Game 5 takeaways, grades, and a look ahead for both - ESPN

The Carolina Hurricanes are Eastern Conference champions after their 6-1 victory in Game 5, dominating the Montreal Canadiens from the opening faceoff.

The Hurricanes will play for the Stanley Cup for the first time since winning it in 2006, opening the championship series against the Vegas Golden Knights at home Tuesday night (8 p.m. ET, ABC).

Here are the Game 5 grades and a look ahead for Carolina and Montreal.

The Canadiens' one clear path to extending this series was if the Hurricanes weren't ready for the moment. Carolina was one win from the Stanley Cup Final and playing at home. Maybe the emotions would be too overwhelming. Maybe the Canadiens could take advantage of those nerves.

Instead, the Hurricanes were ready from the opening faceoff, when Jackson Blake barely missed a goal on a 2-on-1. Taylor Hall opened the scoring at 9:17, when Logan Stankoven landed on goalie Jakub Dobes in a way that the NHL Situation Room didn't believe impeded him after a Montreal coach's challenge. Stankoven left no doubt on his goal at 15:12, ripping a shot past Dobes. Just 1:40 later, it was 3-0 as William Carrier hit Eric Robinson with a 180-foot pass for a breakaway. The Canes outshot Montreal 15-4 in the first, proving they were ready for the moment.

Goals by Blake and Shayne Gostisbehere in the second period were an exclamation point on a statement win. For the first time in 20 years, the Hurricanes have won the Eastern Conference title. For the first time ever, a team coached by Rod Brind'Amour will play for the Stanley Cup.

We can't fail them. The effort was there, including the most shots they registered in a period (11) since the second period of Game 1, their only victory in the Eastern Conference finals. But Montreal was