The Carolina Hurricanes are set to face off against the Florida Panthers for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final on May 24. This is a massive matchup for the Hurricanes, as they can't afford to go down 3-0 in the series.

If the Hurricanes hope to bounce back from their brutal Game 2 and defeat the Panthers in Game 3, they will need these three players to shine. 

Pyotr Kochetkov

After back-to-back tough starts against the Panthers this series, Frederik Andersen won't be between the pipes in Game 2. Instead, Pyotr Kochetkov will be the Hurricanes' starter, and he is undoubtedly a major X-factor for the contest because of it. 

The Hurricanes need Kochetkov to have a big performance in Game 3, as it will increase their odds of picking up a victory during it. The 25-year-old has appeared in three games this post-season, where he has a 1-1 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and a .891 save percentage. This is after he had a 27-16-3 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 2.60 goals-against average in 47 regular-season games this year.

Jaccob Slavin 

Jaccob Slavin is the Hurricanes' top defensive defenseman, so they will be hoping for him to help shut down the Panthers' offense in Game 3. Slavin has the ability to make things very difficult for opposing forwards, and the Hurricanes need just that from him against the Panthers tonight. 

Slavin has appeared in 12 post-season games this year with the Hurricanes, where he has two goals, two assists, and a plus-7 rating. In 23:19 of ice time against the Panthers in Game 2, he had one shot and a minus-1 rating in 23:19 of ice time.

Sebastian Aho

As the Hurricanes' biggest offensive star, Sebastian Aho will be looking to heat back up in Game 3. When playing at his best, he can carry the Hurricanes' offense, and they absolutely need that after being shut out in Game 2. 

Aho has been one of the Hurricanes' most impactful playoff performers so far this year, recording four goals and 11 points in 12 games. Let's see if he has a big performance ahead of him in Game 3 from here. 

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Photo Credit: © James Guillory-Imagn Images