The Carolina Hurricanes drew even in their series against the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final on Saturday at Lenovo Center.
Canes forward Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, including the overtime winner at 3:29 of the extra frame.
Canadiens’ Nick Suzuki (14) battles for the puck against Carolina Hurricanes’ Jalen Chatfield (5) in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
Ehlers was a dynamo in a defensive tilt where the Habs could only muster 12 shots on Hurricanes netminder Frederik Andersen. Montreal had only five shots after the first two periods.
While Ehlers was the hero for Carolina, Josh Anderson supplied all of Montreal’s offence with a two-goal night. Phillip Danault added two assists.
EHLERS IS THE HERO ?
Nikolaj Ehlers’ second goal of the game is the Subway Canada OT winner as Carolina evens up the Eastern Conference Final! pic.twitter.com/CqxD0zGV5j
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 24, 2026
After his first goal, Ehlers was caught on the replay exchanging words with Dobes as he returned to the bench. But one could argue the one-upmanship started before the opening draw when Game 1 anthem singer Mason Greer, who performed a bilingual O Canada that drew praise from Canadiens fans, said on X he would not perform again this series. Last night’s singer performed the Canadian anthem in English only.
With great sadness, I have been informed that the hurricanes will be sticking with one anthem singer for the remainder of this series. The support I’ve received over the last 3 days has been I will never forget. Huge thanks to the @Canes organization again for the opportunity!
— Mason Greer (@masongreermusic) May 23, 2026
Back to the game, which started like so many in these playoffs, with an early goal against the Habs. Eric Robinson scored his second of the series to give the Canes a 1-0 lead just 2:33 in.
Andrei Svechnikov tried adding to the lead by attempting the controversial Michigan move from behind Montreal’s net.
The Habs didn’t get a shot on goal until 11:11, but when they finally did, they made it count. Kaiden Guhle held the blue line and Danault fed Anderson to tie the game 1-1. A fortunate place to be after getting outshot 7-2 in the opening period.
Habs had even more trouble hitting the net in the second, where they only managed two shots on Andersen. It looked like they could threaten eclipsing their nine-shot performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7.
A flukey play occurred that didn’t end up making a difference, but how often do you see a stick getting caught in a goalie’s pad string? Fortunately, Dobes didn’t have to try making a save after it happened to him.
Ehlers broke the tie with 2:57 left to play in the second period. He undressed Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson before beating Dobes.
At the end of the second period, Alexandre Texier took a penalty for spearing K’Andre Miller that could’ve doomed the Habs to start the third, but Montreal successfully killed the penalty.
Montreal finally started getting some rubber toward Carolina’s net with a seven-shot third period. One managed to squeeze through, which was once again scored by Anderson.
Despite getting badly outshot, the Canadiens pushed the game to overtime. This time around, there were no late heroics for Alex Newhook or anyone else for the Habs. Ehlers finished it to send the series back to Montreal all tied up. A potentially frightening moment for Habs fans just prior: Taylor Hall went knee-on-knee on Hutson along the boards, and the defenceman was in discomfort afterwards.
It’s hard to win with only 12 shots on goal. Carolina played a pitch-perfect defensive game, keeping the Habs to a puny seven high-danger chances all game, according to Natural Stat Trick. To Montreal’s credit, the Canes only had 10.
But if Carolina can keep stifling the Canadiens’ offence, they’ll be in the driver’s seat. It’s the same suffocating style they used to sweep the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. In those eight games, they only allowed a total of 10 goals.
After exploding for eight points in Game 1, the top line of Juraj Slafkovsky-Nick Suzuki-Cole Caufield combined for no points and only four shots. Here’s how they looked on last night’s Impact Card.
More than anything, it’s the lack of shots that drive the Liveblog commenters up the wall. It’s been happening all season, and with the pressure dialled up a few notches, why wouldn’t the Habs heave a few more Hail Marys and hope for a fortuitous rebound?
3. Better team won tonight and that’s the end of the story.
Rick Woods
2. We didn’t play well enough to win. Zero shots in OT. Keep up this type of possession and it will be quick series.
Pimp Vache
1. Maybe it is good to lose a game they did not deserve to win. Boys need to play a lot better than this to beat Carolina.
D Smith
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