The Hurricanes-Canadiens series, more than any other of the Conference semifinals, will be decided by the masked men at each end of the rink. It's a matchup of one goalie we know (Jose Theodore) vs. another stopper (Kevin Weekes) who we're getting to know.

As usual, the Canadiens will live and die with Theodore, who looked like his old self in Games 5 and 6 of the first round series against the high-powered Bruins. The Hart and Vezina trophy candidate stopped 77 of 79 shots in the final two games en route to the upset victory of the top-seeded Bruins.

And, as usual, Theodore can expect to see a ton of rubber.

In their four regular-season meetings (1-1-2), the 'Canes outshot the Habs by a whopping 146-87 margin. Theodore started the final three games between the clubs (all played in March), stopping 109 of 116 Carolina shots in posting a 1-1-1 record.

At the other end, Kevin Weekes is a bit of an X-factor. Acquired from Tampa Bay late in the season, Weekes figured to ride shotgun for incumbent starter Arturs Irbe. But, when Irbe faltered in Games 3 and 4 of their first-round series against the Devils, 'Canes coach Paul Maurice made the gutsy move of turning to the inexperienced Weekes, who made his first playoff appearance in relief of Irbe in Game 3.

Weekes, who has never played behind a winning team during his five NHL seasons, responded with a pair of dazzling performances (stopping 72 of 74 New Jersey shots) which lifted the Hurricanes past the two-time defending conference champion Devils. The former Panther-Canuck-Islander-Lightning stopper displayed an athletic style that stymied New Jersey shooters.

Weekes made just one regular season appearance against Montreal, coming off the bench for the Lightning to stop 19 of 21 shots in relief of Nikolai Khabibulin in a 5-1 loss on Jan. 19.

While Theodore has earned his team's trust with his amazing season, Weekes remains a question mark. If he can continue his sensation play, expect to see a tight series with more than one overtime game. If he doesn't, Maurice will have another tough decision to make.

For the record, Irbe was pretty good against the Canadiens this season. He started all four games, stopping 79 of 87 shots. But, if Maurice is forced to go back to Irbe, it may be too late for the 'Canes.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.