SportsLine's proven model has revealed its Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes picks for their Stanley Cup playoff matchup

After James Harden's defensive struggles in Game 1 against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, his head coach came to his defense.

Read this preview for Thursday's NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 between Carolina and Montreal. Explore the different Polymarket markets available for the game.

The Hurricanes host the Canadiens in Game 1 of the East Final on Thursday

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was an indefensible result for Cleveland. But we must steel our hearts and learn something.

Knicks star Jalen Brunson shocked the Cavs, who lost Game 1 and may never recover from watching their 22-point fourth quarter lead get erased so rudely.

DENVER -- Mark Stone skated with what appeared to be the Vegas Golden Knights scratches at Ball Arena on Wednesday, but it remains to be seen if he will play in the Western Conference Final. The Golden Knights face the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 later Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC).

NEW YORK — The strategy was ruthless — but it wasn’t complex, it wasn’t a secret and it was preventable. Each time down the floor, Knicks coach Mike Brown gestured toward his captain, Jalen Brunson, imploring him to get the ball and pull Cavs veteran James Harden into the screening action.

Nathan MacKinnon did not dance around the issue after the Colorado Avalanche’s 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Final. The Avalanche star pointed directly at his team’s sloppy execution,