The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 3-2, in overtime on Monday night at the Bell Centre.
When the Canes needed them most, the top line stepped up. Andrei Svechnikov’s shot 14 minutes into overtime gave the Canes their second straight 3-2 overtime win and a 2-1 series lead. Only two wins separate the Canes from a Stanley Cup berth. The road to the Stanley Cup in the East once again runs through Raleigh, with the Hurricanes taking back home ice advantage in the series.
Much of the first half of the first period was controlled by the Hurricanes’ relentless forecheck that hardly allowed Montreal any clean breakouts.
Shayne Gostisbehere put the Canes on the board first, finding the back of the net less than 10 minutes into the game on a great pinch in. For the third straight game, Carolina took a 1-0 lead early in the first period.
Carolina’s forecheck seemed to let off the gas a bit in the first period. That lull in action allowed the Canadiens to tie the game on a pinch in of their own, as defenseman Mike Matheson found the top corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Just as quick as the Habs tied the game, the Canes took the lead right back. Taylor Hall notched his fourth goal of the playoffs on a tap in up close with a little over three minutes left in the opening period.
Following the first period, the Canes held a 14-5 shot advantage.
In the second period both teams continued to trade offensive chances, a stark change to the series.
After Jordan Martinook took a slashing penalty around five minutes into the period, Carolina’s penalty killing streak came to an end on a give-and-go resulting in a Lane Huston goal.
The Canes were able to counter with a 3-on-1, but Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes made a save on a shot from Svechnikov to keep the game tied.
Carolina was unable to convert on their second power play of the night, with Seth Jarvis ringing a shot off the post.
For the first time in the series, the game was tied heading into the third period.
After a slow start to third period, it looked like the Canadiens had taken the lead after Noah Dobson banked it in. But after the Hurricanes challenged the play, it was determined Cole Caufield went offsides prior to the goal, keeping the game knotted.
The Hurricanes were unable to convert on their third power play of the game, bringing their series total to 0-for-8.
For the second straight game, overtime was needed to break a 2-2 tie.
After a Montreal turnover, the shot from Svechnikov sealed the game for the Canes and gave them their second straight overtime victory. The Hurricanes are now 5-0 during the playoffs in overtime games.
Game 4 is set for Wednesday at 8 PM, with a chance for Carolina to take a demanding 3-1 series lead heading back to Raleigh.