Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho (20) controls the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)Carolina Hurricanes’ Taylor Hall (71) controls the puck with Montreal Canadiens’ Jayden Struble (47) nearby during the first period in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)Montreal Canadiens celebrate a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a goal by Eric Robinson during the first period in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho (20) controls the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
RALEIGH, N.C. – Josh Anderson cleaned up a loose rebound at the 12:51 mark of the third period to tie the game at 2-2 and help the Montreal Canadiens force overtime with the Carolina Hurricanes in Saturday night’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Anderson also had the first goal, bouncing one off of Carolina’s Alexander Nikishin’s foot midway through the first period.
Eric Robinson and Nikolaj Ehlers each scored for Carolina, which led 1-0 and 2-1 as it tried to regroup from Thursday’s loss in Game 1. The Canadiens pounced on the Hurricanes for four goals in the first 11 1/2 minutes while repeatedly generating high-danger chances and breakaways.
Carolina, which was coming off an 11-day break after sweeping through the first two playoff rounds, played more of its game in this one in largely closing off so many of the transition chances the Canadiens had from two days earlier.
Carolina held a 24-12 edge in shots on goal for regulation.
The series shifts to Canada for Monday’s Game 3.
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