The Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes will face off in the long-awaited Eastern Conference Final. With the Canadiens coming off their second emotional Game 7 win, ending in OT, and facing the well-rested, undefeated Hurricanes, this series is already off to an interesting start.
While on paper the Hurricanes have an edge, this series will be won in the depth of these rosters.
Quiet First Lines For Hurricanes and Canadiens
Neither the Canes nor the Habs have gotten a lot out of their first lines. Carolina’s Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Seth Jarvis have combined for only four goals at even strength in eight games. Montreal’s Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovský have combined for only three even-strength goals in 14 games. But this lack of production hasn’t kept either team from winning its respective series.
Despite the disappointment in 5-on-5, the power play has been great for Montreal. The Canadiens have scored on 25% of their power plays, with Slafkovský scoring four power-play goals, Caufield scoring three power-play goals, and Suzuki scoring two. Carolina has not matched that success with the man advantage, succeeding on only 13.5% of its power plays.
So, Who’s Scoring for These Teams?
The Hurricanes and the Canadiens are difficult to compare based on numbers alone because Montreal has played six more games these playoffs, but it is possible to compare who is scoring for these teams. Key players are contributing in big, series-defining moments.
Montreal has had 14 skaters put up five or more points in these playoffs. The Canadiens have 16 players who have scored a goal.
For Carolina, depth scoring is concentrated on their second line. Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Taylor Hall have combined for 14 goals and 31 points in eight games.
The Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes share one common playoff factor: a high-producing second-liner. Stankoven has been an incredibly productive player, with one assist and seven goals. Montreal’s Alex Newhook has also scored seven goals and had two assists. These two players have each scored multiple game-winners in these playoffs.
Scoring On the Back End
Defenseman scoring will also be essential to consider when comparing these teams. Lane Hutson has been great for Montreal in these playoffs. He’s been making quick plays, defending sharply, and even winning games in OT if they need him to. He currently leads the Habs in points with 14 points in 14 games.
Carolina’s defensemen are not as productive offensively, with Carolina’s highest-scoring defenseman, K’Andre Miller, having recorded only six assists.
Another difference is in how each of these coaches chooses to roll the lines. In Game 4 against Philadelphia, Carolina Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour played his least-utilized forward for 11:29. In Game 7 against Buffalo, Canadiens Head Coach Martin St. Louis played his least-utilized forward for 4:45.
There is a similar pattern in defenseman ice time as well. For the Canadiens, defenseman Mike Matheson played 31:28, and Arber Xhekaj only played 1:52. In Carolina, the least-utilized Defenseman, Alexander Nikishin, still played 15:08.
The difference in ice time distribution between these two teams has been present all season, but has become more pronounced as St. Louis shortens the bench in these playoffs, especially in close, must-win games.
This series is going to be a treat. The Canadiens may have swept the season series, but Carolina has been exceptional in the playoffs so far.
Puck drop in for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final is May 21, 8 PM EDT in Raleigh, NC.
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