Five things to watch in Stanley Cup Final: Outstanding goalkeeping, first line battle and more

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes is Tuesday.

Before the puck drops on the best-of-seven series, here are five things we're keeping an eye on throughout the championship round.

Which goalie blinks first

It's no coincidence that the Hurricanes and Golden Knights have the two best goaltenders of these playoffs. It's a main reason why Carolina and Vegas have made it this far, and Frederik Andersen and Carter Hart will be instrumental in deciding which team hoists the Stanley Cup.

Andersen has been fantastic after a weak regular season when he allowed 107 goals in 35 starts while posting an 87.4 percent save percentage. Through 13 playoff games, Andersen has only conceded 20 goals, leading all goalies in save percentage (93.1 percent) and average goals against (1.41).

Carter has been great as well, saving 92.2 percent of opponents' shots while conceding 2.22 goals per game. During the Western Conference Final sweep of the No. 1-seed Colorado Avalanche, who led the league in goals scored (298) during the regular season, Carter held them to seven goals on 125 shot attempts, posting a pristine .944 save percentage.

Can Vegas' first line set the tone?

Vegas has arguably the best player in the Stanley Cup Final, Jack Eichel, and he must play like it for the Golden Knights to win their league championship. In fact, the entire Vegas first line of Eichel, Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Dorofeyev will be key against the Hurricanes' attacking onslaught.

Per MoneyPuck, the line has outscored opponents 8-3 during the playoffs. Among the Golden Knights' top three line pairings, Eichel, Barbashev and Dorofeyev are the only one to have more shot attempts for than against.

The trio has its hands full versus a strong Hurricanes first line consisting of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, but it must set the tone with the Canes' other lines dominating this postseason, outscoring opponents 20-8. If Carolina dictates the pace of action from the start, it could be hard for the Knights to rally.

Young Hurricanes in the spotlight

Hurricanes forwards Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, along with veteran Taylor Hall, make up the team's imposing second line and have played beyond their years during Carolina's remarkable 12-1 start to the playoffs. 

Stankoven, 23, was acquired from the Dallas Stars at last year's trade deadline and is tied for the playoff-lead in even strength goals (seven). He's also scored three game-winners, while Blake, 22, has two among his five overall goals. The stage hasn't been too bright thus far these playoffs, but the young duo hasn't been in the environment they'll soon find themselves, making their continued production a question heading into the series.

Golden Knights' ability to take advantage of K'Andre Miller, Sean Walker off ice

When defenseman Miller and Walker are on the ice, opponents don't often score. Per MoneyPuck, the Canes are +10 in 210.9 minutes this postseason with the Miller-Walker pairing on ice, allowing three goals. The other groupings have a much more modest 13-9 scoring advantage, and those moments are when Vegas must pounce.

Power play

The Hurricanes were among the league's strongest teams with a man advantage during the regular season, ranking fifth in power play goals (60). In 88 minutes of 5-on-4s during the playoffs, Carolina has outscored opponents 6-0, but Vegas could flip that advantage on its head. According to MoneyPuck, the Golden Knights lead all playoff teams with four goals in 4-on-5 situations.

They've also been outstanding with an opponent in the penalty box, scoring 11 goals (and conceding one) in 74 power-play minutes, while the Canes have been outscored 1-4 when down a man. Vegas may need to feast in those margins to take down what has to this point been an unstoppable force.