Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals between the Panthers and the Hurricanes had it all. Be it the intense action on the ice or some cool gameplay, the Panthers sailed to a 5-2 win. Meanwhile, the game also had an eye-catching clash between Brad Marchand and Shayne Gostisbehere. It all began with the Hurricanes’ star targeting Marchand with a wrist shot in his zone. However, it didn’t go down well with Marchand, who confronted Gostisbehere and threw his hands at him in the third period. Subsequently, the officials had to pull Marchand off Gostisbehere after the former dropped the Hurricanes star to the ground. Following the game, Marchand had something to say about the incident.

During the post-game interview, Marchand was asked about his fight with Gostisbehere. Making a cryptic revelation, Marchand said, “I’m not much of a thinker. I don’t have much thought on that situation.” This was similar to what the Panthers’ coach, Paul Maurice, had to say about the incident as he dismissed any further escalation in this regard. Earlier, Maurice, when asked to give his take on the brawl, revealed, “Yeah, I’ve got one, but I’m keeping that to myself. Take your time. Just hang onto that. Just drag it right across the blue line. I’m not biting on it.”

By echoing Maurice’s choice to withhold further comment—both using a similarly cryptic refusal to elaborate—Brad Marchand effectively relayed his coach’s stance in his own post-ejection remark.

As temperatures soared in Game 1, even Panthers star Aaron Ekblad refused to single out that incident. Ekblad played a crucial role in the team’s win, scoring a goal in the first period. Speaking about Marchand’s brawl with Gostisbehere, he said, “I mean, it happens; it is what it is.”

Even as the two teams tried keeping the incident to that game itself, the second game between the Panthers and the Hurricanes is expected to remain physical like the first game. Ahead of the game, Seth Jarvis also had something to say about the physicality of the series.

Beyond Brad Marchand, how’s the mood going to be between the Panthers and the Hurricanes?

With the Panthers taking the lead in Game 1, the Hurricanes would look to make a strong comeback to level the series later today. One can expect them to come out hard against the Panthers, as it promises to be an enthralling clash. Even Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis admitted that his team would come out strong in the second game.

While dismissing the fact that there would be any bad blood from the Brad Marchand-Shayne Gostisbehere brawl in the second game, Jarvis said, “I’m sure it’ll be just as physical as it was. We’ve seen a lot of each other the last couple of years. I mean, it’s playoffs now. Everyone’s battling. But I don’t see anything too extra coming out of it.”

Even as we saw flashes of brilliance from the Hurricanes, the team needs to put up a performance together if they are to defeat the Panthers, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions. Do you think that the Hurricanes can make a comeback in the series? Let us know your views in the comments below.