Preview: ECF, Game 1 vs. Montreal

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens begin the Eastern Conference Final at Lenovo Center on Thursday.

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When: Thursday, May 21

Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. ET

Watch: TNT, truTV, HBO Max; SN, CBC, TVAS

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Series: 0-0

The Playoffs So Far...

• Round 1: Allowing just four goals in five games, the Canes' first-round sweep of the Senators was a story of astute goaltending from Frederik Andersen, goal-scoring from Logan Stankoven's line, and a 20-for-21 performance on the penalty kill.
• Round 2: A similar story ensued in the second round. Sweeping Philadelphia on the strength of the Stankoven line, more stellar goaltending and strong special teams play, the Canes became the fifth team in NHL history to start a postseason 8-0.

Long Time No See...

• After nearly two weeks of watching playoff hockey, the Canes are ready to return to action for their third trip to the Eastern Conference Final in the last four years. A long break between games, sure, but one Carolina used wisely.
• "I think we've been doing all the right things here, staying sharp physically, and [getting] a bit of a mental break for the first few days," said Sebastian Aho on Wednesday. "We've kind of ramped it up again this last little stretch, and we'll be ready tomorrow."
• While Carolina has played the minimum games required to reach this point (8), the Canadiens have taken the opposite route with back-to-back seven-game slugfests against Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Time will tell if rest or momentum reigns supreme.
• The two clubs have met twice in the playoffs since the Canes relocated to Raleigh in 1997. Carolina took both of those meetings en route to Stanley Cup Final appearances in both 2002 and 2006.

In Net...

• As long as he says he's ready to roll, it's Frederik Andersen's net. The veteran became the fourth netminder in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to allow two goals or fewer in each of his first eight starts of a postseason, a feat last achieved 57 years ago.
• Brandon Bussi would be the next expected option in the event Andersen needs a break. The first-year backstop wrapped up the regular season on a heater, following up his first set of consecutive losses (0-3-0) with a 6-0-1 run and allowing two or fewer goals in four of those wins.
• Pyotr Kochetkov also remains waiting in the wings. Although he made two conditioning loan starts with Chicago (AHL) following multiple lower-body surgeries this winter, his last NHL action came on Dec. 20.

On The Other Side...

• Despite being one of the youngest teams in the NHL, the Canadiens established themselves among the league's elite with the sixth-best record in the regular season, then edged the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, both in seven games, to reach the ECF.
• The tip of the spear is 26-year-old team captain and Selke Trophy finalist Nick Suzuki, who leads his club's forward corps in scoring after recording his first career 100-point campaign during the 82-game slate. On the blue line, 2025 Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson is already making his case to be considered one of the best offensive defensemen in hockey, pacing his team and all remaining rearguards in scoring during the playoffs.
• It's also been a breakout playoff run for Alex Newhook, who tallied the game-winner in both of Montreal's Game 7 victories this postseason. Now in his third season with the Canadiens, the 2022 Stanley Cup champion (COL) leads his team with seven goals in the playoffs, while no other skater has more than four.
• Montreal's other young talent has shone as well — between 50-goal scorer Cole Caufield, 2022 first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky and Calder Trophy finalist Ivan Demidov, the Habs are spoiled by a slew of budding stars, all aged 25 or younger.
• In net, it's been all Jakub Dobeš, who has become a hero in Montreal after a stellar first season between the pipes. The 24-year-old Czech went toe-to-toe with Andrei Vasilevskiy in the first round, and despite a handful of hiccups against the Sabres, seems to have a firm grasp on the starting role.

Injury Updates...

• The Canes currently do not have any injuries at this time.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their BLACK uniforms for the contest. They will wear black for every home game and white for every road game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to practice on Friday, before returning to the ice for Game 2 on Saturday.
• Next Game: Saturday, May 21 | ECF, Game 2 vs. Montreal | 7 p.m. ET | How To Watch | Tickets | Parking