6 takeaways from the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 overtime loss in Game 3

The Montreal Canadiens, for the third time in these playoffs, were returning home with a series tied at one game each. However, returning to Montreal hasn't always worked out for them, as they have won only two of their six home games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before the Eastern Conference Final.

On Monday night, it was a similar story as they would lose by the final score of 3-2 in overtime in Game 3 of this series. These are six takeaways for the Montreal Canadiens in their Game 3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Montreal Canadiens change up their fourth line but Hurricanes still get the better of them

In Game 2, the Montreal Canadiens' fourth line of Kirby Dach, Oliver Kapanen, and Zachary Bolduc was on the ice for two of the three goals scored by the Hurricanes. Ahead of Game 3, the Canadiens decided to change up that line by replacing Kapanen with Joe Veleno.

Unfortunately, it was more of the same as this line once again was on the ice for a Hurricanes' goal. The goal came early in the game as the Canadiens struggled to clear the puck, and they lost Shayne Gostibehere, who took a pass from Mark Jankowski to give the Hurricanes the early 1-0 lead.

The Carolina Hurricanes have now scored first in every game of the Eastern Conference Final. It is also the fifth straight home game that the Canadiens have given up the first goal to the opposing team. It is not surprising that the Canadiens are 1-4 during that stretch.

Beautiful passing between Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson to tie the game at two

The Canadiens have had trouble getting shots on nets at times in the playoffs, but in the second period, there was no denying them after a beautiful give-and-go between Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson.

At the time, the Canadiens were on the power play, and Hutson was bringing it up the ice before dumping it to Caufield. However, the two wouldn't be done as they would make three more passes in the zone before Hutson put it home.

There were some questions about Hutson entering this game after a lower-body injury in the third period of Game 2. However, he put to rest any lingering questions with the way he skated on this play.

Canadiens third period goal was wiped out after a video review ruled Cole Caufield was offside

In the third period, it looked like the Canadiens were going to take the lead when Noah Dobson scored after his shot deflected off the stick of a Hurricanes player. It was a huge goal by Dobson after an incredible individual effort by Cole Caufield, as he was able to control the puck and keep it away from two Hurricanes players.

Unfortunately, the goal would be for naught as the Hurricanes would almost immediately call for a video review. The reason being that Caufield was offside entering the zone as he couldn't keep his skate on the blue line before he was able to get control of the puck.

There is no question that Caufield was offsides but the frustrating part is that it really didn't impact the end result. The Canadiens were in the Hurricanes' zone for a solid 15 seconds before scoring, and the Hurricanes had chances to clear it.

It was an incredible play that could have been the deciding factor in this game that ultimately wouldn't matter.

Canadiens just need to get more shots on net

As mentioned earlier, the Canadiens have had problems at times of getting shots on net. That was once again the case in Game 3 as the Canadiens were only able to muster 12 shots on goal, with five in the first period, six in the second, and only one in the third, with none in overtime.

The Canadiens would actually go a stretch of over 30 minutes of game time with only one shot on net. This is not a recipe for success, and something that they need to figure out quickly.

A perfect example of the Canadiens needing to shoot more was in the second period when Montreal had a 2-on-1 with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The Hurricanes defended the pass to Caufield perfectly, and instead of Suzuki shooting it, he held the puck, hoping for the passing lane to open.

It never materialized, and the Canadiens would never get a shot off as Suzuki would lose the puck. There is no guarantee that they score if Suzuki shoots, but they at least give themselves a chance.

Canadiens skaters doing all they can to help Jakub Dobes

While the Canadiens are not shooting enough, the Hurricanes certainly have not had that problem, but Montreal is doing an excellent job trying to stop as many as possible, even getting to Jakub Dobes. In Game 3, the Canadiens had 33 blocked shots, with Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson leading the way, tied for the team lead with five.

Jakub Dobes stellar once again coming off a loss

Even with all the blocked shots the Canadiens had, the Hurricanes still got plenty through and kept Jakub Dobes busy most of the night. He would finish the game stopping 35 of 38 shots he faced in Game 3.

Dobes has started every game for the Canadiens in the playoffs, and one of the reasons has been his ability to bounce back after a loss. He is now 6-1 in the playoffs after a loss, with this Game 3 loss being the first time he has lost back-to-back games.

The Canadiens will be looking to tie the series up in Game 4 on Wednesday night at the Bell Centre.

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