Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens. Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5. PNC Arena, Raleigh. Friday May 29, 8:00 PM EDT.
Carolina has swept back-to-back series. They finish the job when the time comes. Montreal has faced elimination twice this playoff and survived twice. One of those streaks ends tonight in Raleigh.
The Finishers
The Hurricanes have won three straight after getting blown out 6-2 in Game 1. That embarrassment was the last time this series felt competitive. Since then, Carolina has been exactly what they are: structured, suffocating, and clinical in front of Frederik Andersen. They pressure the puck, they stay above the carrier, and they do not let moments breathe. They compress games until the other team has nothing left.
The Survivors
Montreal knows how to survive. Down 3-2 to Tampa, they won Game 7 on the road. Tied 3-3 with Buffalo, they won Game 7 on the road. This team does not have a blueprint for avoiding elimination. They have a blueprint for outlasting it.
The Coaching Battle
The coaching battle has been one of the more interesting subplots. Rod Brind'Amour has used his fourth line as a tone-setter all series, getting pucks deep early, wearing down Montreal's defense, and dictating the physical terms of the game.
St. Louis has had no answer for it. He tried Kapanen. He tried Veleno. Neither moved the needle. He benched Xhekaj, Gallagher as maybe they do not have the foot speed for this Carolina team. Both decisions are defensible. Neither has produced a solution.
This series is Carolina's to lose. But they are playing a team that will not die.
What Montreal Needs Tonight
Game 4 will not repeat itself. Montreal will not come out flat in Raleigh the same way they did at home. If they get the first goal and put 12 shots on net in the first period, this game becomes interesting. Their problem all series has been the same. They give up the first goal and spend the rest of the night digging out. In a conference final, you cannot spot Carolina a lead and expect to climb back.
PNC Arena will be loud from the drop of the puck. Carolina's crowd has been a factor all playoff.
Stars to Watch
Watch Andrei Svechnikov to find the net tonight. On the other side, Cole Caufield is the one to get Montreal on the board.
Series by the numbers
The series so far
- Game 1 (May 21): Habs 6, Hurricanes 2. Montreal Weathers the Storm.
- Game 2 (May 23): Hurricanes 3, Habs 2 (OT). Hurricanes Strike Back, Series Tied.
- Game 3 (May 25): Hurricanes 3, Habs 2 (OT). One Bad Pass, Carolina Up 2-1.
- Game 4 (May 27): Hurricanes 4, Habs 0. Carolina Routs Montreal at Home, Up 3-1.