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With Montreal advancing to the Eastern Conference finals, the HabsWorld writers provided their predictions on the upcoming series against Carolina.

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes

Kevin Leveille predicts: Canadiens in 6 games
Norm Szcyrek predicts: Canadiens in 7 games
Brian Davis predicts: Hurricanes in 7 games
Richard Roy predicts: Canadiens in 7 games
Brian La Rose predicts: Hurricanes in 6 games

(Kevin) So, the Habs are the only team in the Conference Final that isn’t a division winner. Bad sign or blessing in disguise? In the Hurricanes, they face a team that they beat rather handily three times in the regular season. But will this matter in a playoff series against the team that has now demolished both of its opponents? On paper, Carolina holds a razor-thin advantage all over the ice.

Frederik Andersen has been absolutely dominant, but he does have somewhat of a history of crumbling in big moments. Jakub Dobes was stellar early but did show signs of fatigue late in the Buffalo series. On the blue line, the Habs hold a distinct advantage offensively with Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, but Carolina is a much better defensive unit. This also started to show itself late in the Buffalo series as they were giving up way too much time and space to the Sabres’ attackers. Up front, the Canadiens finally meet a team that matches their depth. Therefore, the pressure clearly shifts to the top line.

While I prefer Montreal’s top line to Sebastian Aho’s line, they still must find better production and that won’t be easy if Juraj Slafkovsky can’t simplify his game. Still, there are two details that make me believe in the Habs’ chances here. The first is that their dominance over the Hurricanes was system-oriented. They found a way to get around the constant pressure. The second detail is that Carolina has a history of failing to adapt its system when it fails. As a clear favourite in this series, will Rod Brind’Amour be willing to adapt his system or will he simply juggle things around if things get tough? If it’s the latter, that’s bad news for the Hurricanes.

(Norm) Carolina was the best team in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, but they were only seven points ahead of Montreal. They have a perfect record of eight wins in their first two series. Surprisingly, their offence has not been from their top forward line. Instead, veteran Taylor Hall leads the team with three goals and nine assists, followed by his linemates Jackson Blake (four goals, seven assists) and Logan Stankoven (seven goals, one assist). On defence, K’Andre Miller leads his blueliners with six points, all assists. In goal, Andersen sports a 1.12 goals against average and a .950 save percentage.

The Habs boast Hutson as their team scoring leader with two goals and 12 assists, followed by captain Nick Suzuki with four goals and nine assists.  Dobes has been incredible, sporting a 2.52 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

Montreal had a perfect 3-0 record against Carolina this regular season. I know people often say the playoffs are a different type of hockey, but I put stock into those three wins. The first two were against their backup goalie, including a 7-5 victory in Carolina and a 4-0 shutout at home. The last game was a 5-2 win at home against Andersen. This shows me Montreal can neutralize the Hurricanes’ style of play. With both teams (so far) relying on secondary scoring to carry them forward, neither team has an advantage there. When it comes to the rest vs rust debate, I believe Montreal will have the advantage. I have to predict another series that goes the distance, and like the first two Canadiens’ series, this one will also go Montreal’s way and this team will reach the Stanley Cup finals.

(Brian D) As much as the romantic in me wants to see the Habs go all the way, I just think they will run out of steam and Dobes can’t steal every game. Whilst Montreal beat them well in the regular season, this Carolina side is built for the playoffs and Brind’Amour will use his combos to negate the threat. For it to go to six games, the first line must wake up and at least score on the power play, plus Dobes will have to steal a few. The former is possible, but the latter is showing signs of fatigue and when he gets scored upon, it is starting to be big amounts. A great run and huge amount of experience for this core to build upon which, with a couple of specific additions, should be the basis for a regular trip the playoffs and hopefully a cup or two in the next 10 years.

(Richard) The Habs have had the most difficult route in these playoffs. Finishing 6th in the league and never having home ice advantage. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are facing their Achilles’ Heel, namely the Conference Final, losing twice in three years to the Panthers and winning only a single game so far.

This will probably boil down to goaltending. Both Andersen and Dobes have been stellar in the playoffs, but Andersen has had a miserable season and the 12-day rest could shake his routine. Meanwhile, Dobes is at his best when he receives a lot of shots. Carolina’s shoot-first mentality could play in his hand. With a sweep in the regular season, including two games in Raleigh, the Habs will be a much stronger opponent for the Hurricanes than what they have seen so far. It will be a very tight series and I feel the Habs’ “bend but don’t break” mentality will frustrate Carolina.

(Brian L) If you were a fan of the rope-a-dope that the Habs basically played in the final two games of the Buffalo series, get ready for an entire series of it.  I expect Carolina to basically double up Montreal in shots on a regular basis, given their penchant for shooting from anywhere and Montreal’s seeming desire to shoot as little as possible.

There are ways that the Canadiens can win this series.  If the top line wakes up, they can get the offence going.  But I think all three players are playing through something right now so I’m not sure how realistic that is.  The power play can be a big factor but the way Carolina’s penalty kill plays (high-pressure) is the type of style that Montreal’s power play struggles mightily against.  That basically leaves the Habs needing Dobes to steal a series.  Could he do it, especially if Andersen comes back down to earth?  Sure.  But Carolina is bound to get over the third-round hurdle at some point.  I think it’ll be here.