After nearly two weeks since their last game, the Carolina Hurricanes will finally be back on the ice on Thursday for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens. The Hurricanes have been excellent so far this post-season, as they swept both the Ottawa Senators and the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, the Hurricanes will be looking to stay hot against a Canadiens club that has knocked out the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres this spring. With the Eastern Conference Final set to begin, let's look at three Hurricanes who are big X-factors to watch for the series. FREDERIK ANDERSEN Will Frederik Andersen continue to dominate? After a tough regular-season this year, Andersen has been simply incredible this post-season so far. He currently has an 8-0-0 record, a 1.12 goals-against average, a .950 save percentage, and two shutouts during the playoffs. If he continues to shine like this, the Hurricanes should be in good shape against Montreal. TAYLOR HALL Taylor Hall has turned back the clock this post-season. In eight games so far this spring, the former Hart Trophy winner has three goals and leads the team with nine assists and 12 points. With this, Hall has given the Hurricanes fantastic secondary offensive production, and it would be massive for Carolina if he keeps this kind of play up against the Habs. JACCOB SLAVIN The Canadiens are an incredibly skilled team. Due to this, the Hurricanes are undoubtedly going to need Jaccob Slavin to be on his A-game to shut down Montreal's top players. Slavin is the Hurricanes' best defensive defenseman, so he is a player that they will be relying on a lot against Montreal.
