"OT Magic, Part 5": 2025-26 Postseason Round 3, Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens

We might be all square in the series, but the Montreal Canadiens enter Game 3 with a little more control over their destiny. However, the Carolina Hurricanes have a little momentum back in their favor after tying the series at a game apiece with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2. Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice in the game, including the deciding goal early in extra time. As the series moves to Montreal, the message should remain the same for both teams. The series is still up for grabs in what has become a best-of-five. 

Scoring Summary

1st Period

CAR (8:24)- Shayne Gostisbehere (1) (Mark Jankowski (4) & Eric Robinson (3))

MTL (15:28)- Mike Matheson (2) (Ivan Demidov (6) & Jake Evans (8))

CAR (16:22)- Taylor Hall (4) (K'Andre Miller (7) & Jackson Blake (8))

2nd Period

MTL (4:43-PP)- Lane Hutson (3) (Cole Caufield (7) & Jakub Dobes (1))

3rd Period

None

Overtime

CAR (14:06)- Sebastian Aho (4) (Andrei Svechnikov (4) & Seth Jarvis (4))

My Thoughts

There were questions as to which star scored the final goal of the game between Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Truthfully, as they put it so eloquently during their post-game interviews, I don't care. It was a Hurricanes' goal, and that's all that matters. This moment felt like a long-time coming for the trio, and while Aho won't get a point on the play, he's as big a part of this moment. Svechnikov gets the play started by intercepting a soft Lane Hutson pass in the neutral zone. I could see Hutson's thought process, but it wasn't a smart pass with Hurricanes in the area. The Canadiens actually defending it well, forcing Svechnikov behind the net, but he maintained possession of the puck. Seth Jarvis put himself open in the near dot, but he mishandled the puck and gave it back to Svechnikov beyond the dot. Aho parked himself in front of Jakub Dobes, preventing him from getting a clean look. Dobes got some of the puck, but not enough.

Overall, there isn't much to dislike about the Canes' game tonight. They were the better team for most of the night in most areas, but for the second game in a row, they couldn't find a way to maintain and improve on their leads. Just like in Game 2, they led 1-0 and 2-1. Just like in Game 2, Montreal tied it and forced overtime. The fourth line scored for the third straight game, with Eric Robinson extending his point streak and Mark Jankowski adding another assist on Shayne Gostisbehere's first goal of the postseason. The Stankoven line finally got into the action, scoring for the first time in the series, with Taylor Hall getting another goal. The defense was excellent once again, jumping into the play in the offensive zone numerous times. Frederik Andersen's stat line is rough again, but it won't showcase the big stops that he made in the second period after Montreal tied it. I can't find too many sore spots in the Canes' game, outside of another night without a PPG.

Montreal made history in a bad way in Game 2, recording the fewest shots in an overtime game in NHL postseason history (12). On Monday, they improved, but only marginally. The Canadiens finished the game with 13 shots this time, recording only two over the final two periods. However, one thing that Montreal is doing very well is capitalizing on the mistakes that the Hurricanes are making. On their first goal, Jordan Martinook drifted too far from his man while anticipating a play that didn't happen. It left Mike Matheson wide open to walk down and snap a shot cleanly over Andersen's glove. While it's a stop that Andersen needs to make, it's also a lane that needed to be filled. On the second goal, Martinook took a soft slashing penalty, but the Habs' power play struck for a beautiful give-and-go goal finished by Hutson. Their chances aren't abundant, but they're dangerous. In overtime, their best chances were a Nick Suzuki breakaway wide of the net and a Matheson crossbar. They need to generate more, btu they've put themselves to steal games twice now.

The Hurricanes lead the series, 2-1, but I'm still not loving the position that they're in. They've yet to showcase their best in this series, and it has been painfully obvious. Montreal has stuck around because of opportunistic offense and strong goaltending from Dobes. They are well within striking distance to get back into the series. The good news for the Hurricanes? They have home ice once again. They're back on track after their Game 1 loss. A win on Wednesday puts the series in a vice grip, while a loss turns it into a best-of-three for the East's spot in the Stanley Cup Final. Everyone is pulling on the rope right now. They need one more great effort in Montreal before I feel like they're fully in control.

First Star of the Game: Andrei Svechnikov

This might've been Andrei Svechnikov's best game of the postseason. He played with a purpose and aggressively without taking any dumb penalties. He finished with three hits and five shots, though his biggest of the contest came at the very end to win it. It was a big moment for him, even if we weren't entirely sure that it was going to be his goal. Hopefully, this is the start of sustained success for his line in this series.

Around the League

Colorado-Vegas: After it looked like Colorado was going to get in the win column following a three-goal first period, the Golden Knights stormed back to tie it in the second before taking the lead and the win in Game 3, 5-3. (VGK 3-0)

Next Up: The Canadiens will look to even the series on Wednesday night when Game 4 drops at Centre Bell. Otherwise, Game 5 in Raleigh on Friday night could be the first elimination game of the series. If Montreal can tie the series on Wednesday, or if they stave off elimination on Friday, we'll be back in Montreal on Sunday.