Hurricanes remain perfect in OT with Game 3 win over Canadiens
from Eric Smithling, with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
There’s no time like overtime for the Carolina Hurricanes.
On Monday, the Hurricanes took a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final over the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-2 overtime road victory, putting Carolina two wins shy of advancing to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Final since 2006.
It also improved the Canes’ overtime record this postseason to 5-0, including another 3-2 win over the Canadiens in Game 2. In fact, all five of their extra-period OT wins have come with a 3-2 final score.
Hurricanes take 2-1 ECF series lead with fifth OT win of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Combined with the regular season, Carolina is 19-7 in overtime, with four of those losses coming via shootout. The team’s overtime domination makes sense considering its aggressive offensive approach. This season, the Canes ranked second in total shots, and that volume is a huge boost in sudden-death overtime when only one goal is needed. In the past two wins over Montreal, Carolina has outshot its opponent 8-0 in overtime, per Natural Stat Trick.
Monday’s win, capped by forward Sebastian Aho’s fourth goal of the playoffs, improved the Hurricanes’ 2026 postseason record to 10-1. Per Stathead research, they’re the first team since the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings to win 10 of their first 11 playoff games and only the 10th all-time, including third this century. Of the nine previous, six won the Stanley Cup Trophy.
Carolina is only six wins away from joining the group. While Montreal has fought valiantly through three games, it’s been overwhelmed in the two consecutive losses, being outshot 64-25. The Hurricanes have the Canadiens on the ropes with their attacking nature, putting the pressure on Montreal heading into Game 4.
It can’t afford a slow start. Arguably even more crucially, it can’t let the game get to overtime, either. If it does, Carolina may have already won.