NHL Playoff Preview: Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes with Line Combinations 05/21/2026

Montreal Canadiens (8-4-2) at Carolina Hurricanes (8-0-0) 

Venue: Lenovo Center
Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 8:00 pm EST
How To Watch: ESPN

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Montreal Canadiens News & Notes:

The Canadiens have had two play two game sevens to get this far. They beat the Lightning in seven games in the first round, then the Sabres in the second round. That game seven against Buffalo was a 3-2 overtime win. They’re averaging 3.1 goals per game while allowing 2.7 goals per game in the playoffs. They went 3-0-0 against Carolina in the regular season, averaging five goals per game.

Carolina Hurricanes News & Notes:

The Hurricanes haven’t played since May 9th. They swept both of their series, taking all four from the Senators in round one, then all four games against the Flyers in round two. In the playoffs, they’re averaging three goals per game while allowing 1.3 goals per game. They went 0-3-0 against Montreal in the regular season, averaging 2.7 goals per game.

Montreal Canadiens Projected Lines

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Newhook-Evans-Demidov
Texier-Danault-Anderson
Bolduc-Kapanen-Dach

Matheson-Carrier
Hutson-Dobson
Xhekaj-Guhle

Dobes
Fowler

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Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lines

Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis
Hall-Stankoven-Blake
Ehlers-Staal-Martinook
Carrier-Jankowski-Robinson

Slavin-Chatfield
Miller-Walker
Gostisbehere-Nikishin

Andersen
Bussi

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Players To Watch:

Montreal Canadiens

Cole Caufield had a goal in all three games against Carolina in the regular season; he had five points in the three games on three goals and two assists. He has nine points in the playoffs on four goals and five assists.

Carolina Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov had a point in all three games against the Canadiens in the regular season; he had two goals and five assists in three three meetings. He has three points in the playoffs on a goal and two assists.

Injury Report:

Montreal Canadiens

F Patrik Laine – IR

Carolina Hurricanes

G Pyotr Kochetkov – IR

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