Led by Josh Anderson's two goals and another stellar performance by Jakub Dobes, the Montreal Canadiens came painfully close to securing a 2-0 series lead for the first time in these playoffs. However, they couldn't score the game winner in overtime as Nikolaj Ehlers would score his second on the night to secure the 3-2 win for Carolina.
These two games were very different as in Game 1, the Canadiens cruised to a 6-2 victory. In Game 2 was much more competitive and the Hurricanes controlled most of it. In fact, the Canadiens never led in regulation as the Hurricanes would score first and then take a 2-1 lead in the second.
In the third, Montreal tied it up at two goals apiece, which would send it to overtime. Unfortunately, once again it was the Hurricanes who had the answer and the game-winner.
These are three takeaways from the game on Saturday night for the Montreal Canadiens.
Josh Anderson sparks Canadiens comeback with two goal performance in Game 2
As has been the case throughout the entire playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens once again found themselves down early. Eric Robinson would score just over 2:30 after the opening puck drop, and the Hurricanes had a 1-0 lead.
One of the reasons it hasn't mattered that Montreal has been giving up these quick goals is that they usually answer very quickly after. This game was a little different as the Canadiens really struggled to get pucks on net and wouldn't have their first shot on goal until 11:11 into the first period.
Josh Anderson would be able to tie the game up, and that was his fourth goal of the playoffs, but only his second in the last 14 games. He began the playoffs with goals in back-to-back games against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
However, he wasn't done there as he would score again in the third period to tie it up at two. It was an impressive performance by the Canadiens forward on a night they needed their depth to make a play.
Disastrous end to the second period for the Canadiens cost them momentum
Through the first two periods, the Hurricanes were playing better, but the Canadiens were hanging around, being down only 2-1. The final 10 seconds of the period could have completely changed the momentum of the game to Montreal's favor, but in fact, it went completely the other way.
It started with Lane Hutson deep in his zone finding Nick Suzuki at the other blueline entering the offensive zone. Suzuki was able to drive straight to the net and looked like he was going to score before time expired.
The Hurricanes' defenseman was able to get his stick in the way and knock Suzuki's stick to not allow him from getting a clean shot.
Unfortunately, it went from bad to worse as Alexandre Texier took a silly penalty that should have been a five-minute major but was only called two-minutes for slashing. The Canadiens went from being tied going into the third period to being down one goal and having to kill off a penalty to begin the final period.
Canadiens' first line was invisble in Game 2 against the Hurricanes
In Game 1, the Canadiens' top line of Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Juraj Slafkovsky combined for eight points and really led the way for Montreal. However, in Game 2, they were essentially a non-factor and didn't really make much of an impact.
The three players in Game 2 combined for no points and only four shots in the entire game. For Montreal, the good news is that they have dealt with this at different points and have seen other players step up, like Josh Anderson in Game 2.
The concern is when those performances don't happen, and this does not feel like a sustainable recipe for success. As was evident in Game 2 where a goal from any of these players could have easily swung the outcome in their favor.
They will now return home for Game 3 and Game 4 with the first being on Monday night.
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