Hurricanes Beat Canadiens, Updated NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs ECF Bracket & Schedule After Game 3

The Carolina Hurricanes earned a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday in hostile territory.

After the Hurricanes made it to the Conference Finals in a quick eight games, they suffered their first loss of the season in Game 1 against the Canadiens, falling 6-2 at home. 

Bouncing back in Game 2, a 3-2 overtime victory forced a 1-1 series tie as the Hurricanes stole a game on the road. 

The intensity continued Monday as the Hurricanes pulled off one-score win in another tightly contested finish, securing their second straight OT victory over the Canadiens to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Monday Results

Carolina Hurricanes 3, Montreal Canadiens 2, OT (CAR leads series 2-1)

Tuesday Schedule

Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights, 9 p.m. ET  (VGK leads 3-0)

Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 2

The Hurricanes struck first Monday when Shayne Gostisbehere buried a sharp goal at the 11:36 mark of the opening period.

Mike Matheson responded later in the period for the Canadiens to briefly knot the game at 1-1. The deadlock did not last long as Taylor Hall netted his 20th career playoff goal to put the Canes back in front 2-1 heading into the second period.

Lane Hutson delivered the lone goal of the second period for the Canadiens, finishing off a smooth puck-moving sequence with assists from Cole Caufield and Jakub Dobes to even the score once again at 2-2.

Defense reigned in the third period as Game 3 was forced in overtime. 

A late turnover proved costly as Sebastian Aho capitalized with a clean finish off a setup from Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis, sealing the second straight overtime win as the Hurricanes took a 2-1 lead on the road. 

Game 4 will remain in Montreal on Wednesday as the series returns to the home ice of the Canadiens.