We needed extra time to decide a winner in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. However, Game 2 of the Canadiens vs Hurricanes didn’t need a lengthy overtime period to decide the winner.
Nikolaj Ehlers beat Jakub Dobes with a snap shot only three minutes and 29 seconds into the overtime session to give the Hurricanes a 3-2 win to tie up the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. Frederik Andersen made 10 saves, but still picked up the win in between the pipes.
Josh Anderson scored twice for Montreal, including the game-tying goal with just over seven minutes left to go in regulation. Dobes stopped 23 shots in the loss for the Habs.
Game 3 will be Monday night at 8 p.m. in the Bell Centre as the series shifts to Montreal.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 2 Recap
Another Fast Start Almost Comes Up Empty For Carolina
For the second consecutive game, the Hurricanes got an early goal to put the Habs under pressure. Eric Robinson bagged a goal for the second straight game for Carolina. The tally came at just two minutes, 33 seconds into the first period to give the hosts the lead.
It looked like Carolina would settle in and take control of the game. However, Anderson’s first goal of the game came at 11:11 into the opening frame to give the visitors the tie. Montreal has done this plenty of times on the road during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canadiens get challenged early on the road only to bounce back. This is especially incredible considering the Habs have a very young core that has some veterans as complimentary pieces.
The second period settled into a cagey affair until Ehlers scored with less than three minutes to go in the second period. Carolina looked to have stifled Montreal, but Anderson’s second goal sent the game to an extra session.
(Credit Image: © Spencer Lee/ZUMA Press Wire)
Making the Most with Less
The Canadiens have been outshot in a few games this postseason and some of these games had very wide margins. However, Montreal seems to find a way to stay in games even when not putting a lot of pucks on the opposing net.
However, we saw the Habs oust the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first round series with only nine shots. Montreal only registered nine shots in Game 7 but still managed to win that decisive game. This happened despite Montreal not even getting a single shot on goal in the second period.
Good goaltending from Dobes along strong defence helped keep the Canadiens in position to strike late in games. It also seems that Montreal finds the goal it needs at the right time. That sort of clutch scoring gives of “team of destiny” vibes to some. It may be early to give Montreal that distinction, but things could be trending that way.
Montreal didn’t win Game 2 but it has been giving teams fits and making clubs work for most of the wins.
Turning the Tide?
Carolina has struggled in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2006. The Canes came into this game with a 1-17 mark and -42 goal differential in the Eastern Final since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2006.
During that time period, the Canes have a scarily bad save percentage of .854 and a shocking shooting percentage of 5.7 percent. These stats made Carolina fans awfully nervous heading into the overtime frame.
Ehlers’ OT-winner may have eased some concerns heading into the pivotal Game 3. However, many were thinking this was the Hurricanes’ easiest path to the final with the Florida Panthers out of the way this season. Carolina fans hope this win can snap things into place instead of being a blip in a movie the fans have seen one too many times before.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
