3-2 Canes OVERTIME
Carolina Leads Series 2-1
🧭 Overall Takeaways
- Carolina’s stars delivered in the clutch—Aho, Svechnikov, Jarvis, Hall.
- Montréal’s young core produced, but couldn’t solve Andersen late.
- Goaltending was the separator: Andersen outdueled Dobes in the moments that mattered.
- Carolina regains the series lead with a composed, veteran-style road win.
🧊 Player Performance Breakdown
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montréal Canadiens — Game 3
⭐ Skaters: Impact & Efficiency
Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho
- Scored the OT winner .
- Logged heavy minutes in playoffs (21:19 TOI/GP) .
- Not a high-volume shooter (19 shots in 10 GP), but extremely situationally lethal.
Andrei Svechnikov
- Assisted on the OT goal .
- Physical presence: 43 hits in 10 GP .
- Penalty issues persist (20 PIM) but he tilted the ice in OT.
Seth Jarvis
- Secondary assist on the OT winner .
- Strong two-way metrics: 27 shots, 9 blocks, 18 hits .
- Zero faceoff wins all playoffs (0%)—but he’s not being used for draws.
Taylor Hall
- Scored to make it 2–1 in the 1st .
- Continues to be Carolina’s most productive forward (12 points in 10 GP) .
- +7 rating shows strong on-ice control.
Shayne Gostisbehere
- Opened scoring with a point shot through traffic .
- Quiet but steady: 16 shots, +1, 19:09 TOI/GP .
Montréal Canadiens
Mike Matheson
- Scored the 1–1 goal with a clean snap shot .
- Montréal’s most reliable all-situations defenseman.
Lane Hutson
- Power-play goal to tie the game 2–2 .
- Continues to be a PP catalyst with elite puck movement.
Ivan Demidov
- Assisted on Matheson’s goal .
- Montréal’s most dynamic young forward this postseason.
Cole Caufield
- PP assist on Hutson’s goal .
- Quiet at even strength but still a threat on the man advantage.
🥅 Goaltending Breakdown
This is where the game truly tilted.
Carolina — Frederik Andersen
Playoff stats entering the game:
- 9–1–0, 1.55 GAA, .927 SV%, 2 SO .
Game 3 performance (inferred from game flow):
- Allowed 2 goals (Matheson, Hutson PPG).
- Shut the door completely after 04:43 of the 2nd.
- Made multiple high-leverage stops in OT to keep Carolina alive.
Assessment:
Andersen is playing like a Conn Smythe candidate. His rebound control and calmness under pressure were the difference once the game tightened.
Montréal — Jakub Dobes
Playoff stats entering the game:
- 9–7–0, 2.69 GAA, .906 SV% .
Game 3 performance (inferred):
- Allowed 3 goals, including the OT winner.
- The Hall goal (2–1) came quickly after Montréal tied it—momentum swing.
- OT goal was a clean finish but Dobes was beaten short-side.
Assessment:
Dobes was solid but not spectacular. Montréal needed a “steal one” performance to take the series lead, and they didn’t get it. His numbers reflect a goalie who battles but doesn’t consistently deliver game-changing saves.
🏒 Game Summary: Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Series: Carolina leads 2–1
1st Period
08:24 — CAR 1–0
Shayne Gostisbehere scores on a snap shot, assisted by Mark Jankowski and Eric Robinson.15:28 — 1–1
Mike Matheson ties it for Montreal, assisted by Ivan Demidov and Jake Evans.16:22 — CAR 2–1
Taylor Hall restores the Hurricanes’ lead, assisted by K’Andre Miller and Jack Blake.
2nd Period
- 04:43 — 2–2 (PPG)
Lane Hutson scores on the power play for Montreal, assisted by Cole Caufield and Jakub Dobes.
Overtime
- Sebastian Aho wins it for Carolina
Assisted by Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis.
Carolina takes the game in OT and grabs back the series lead.
Latest stats, highlights, and data at source Carolina Hurricanes - Montréal Canadiens - May 25, 2026 | NHL.com
