Ehlers Lifts Hurricanes to 3-2 OT Win, Tying East Final at 1-1

18 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 24

Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, including the winner 3:29 into overtime, as Carolina beat Montreal 3-2 in Game 2 after a 6-2 loss in the opener.
Carolina controlled long stretches — including a 12-4 shots edge late in the second — and Ehlers gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the series with a late-period goal.
Josh Anderson answered both times for Montreal, tying it 1-1 in the first and 2-2 on the Canadiens' ninth shot with seven minutes left in regulation.
Frederik Andersen still looked shaky, allowing 2 goals on 12 shots after surrendering 5 on 21 in Game 1, leaving Ehlers' breakout to mask Carolina's goaltending concern.
The 6-year, $51 million free-agent signing delivered the playoff game-changing punch Carolina has long sought as the series shifts to Montreal.

Can Nikolaj Ehlers' breakout performance finally break Carolina's long-standing conference final curse?

Is Frederik Andersen's dominant playoff run his final act for the Hurricanes before free agency?

Did the underdog Canadiens expose a fatal flaw in the heavily favored Hurricanes despite the loss?