Nikolaj Ehlers scored a goal late in a tight-checking second period, and the Carolina Hurricanes lead the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 headed to the third period of Game 2.
Eric Robinson scored the game’s opener for the Hurricanes early in the first period, and Josh Anderson answered for the Canadiens.
After two periods, the Hurricanes have 15 shots on goal compared to just five for the Canadiens.
The Hurricanes finally broke the tie with a pretty goal by Ehlers late in the second frame. The former Winnipeg Jets star put on a couple of pretty moves alone in the offensive zone before sliding the puck between Jakub Dobes’ legs for the goal to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead.
Alexandre Texier was whistled for a penalty in the dying seconds of the period, when he jabbed K’Andre Miller in the groin with his stick. The Hurricanes are going to start the third period on a two-minute power play after the slashing call.
After the teams combined for nine shots on goal in the first period, the second period was even tighter. Deep in the frame, the sides had combined for just five shots on goal, but an extended offensive zone shift by the Hurricanes put the Canadiens on the back foot.
After almost two minutes in the offensive zone, Jakub Dobes was whistled for tripping Mark Jankowski as the Canes’ skater made his way around the back of the net. Montreal could not clear the puck once in the power play session, but the Hurricanes could not solve Dobes as the score remained tied.
Midway through the opening period, Taylor Hall got caught with a careless clearing pass out of his defensive zone that was intercepted at the blue line. A sequence of passes ended on Anderson’s stick, who beat Frederik Andersen to get the Canadiens on the board and even the score at 1-1.
Just like in the series opener, Carolina who cashed in a very early goal. William Carrier took an innocent shot from distance, and Robinson got a stick on the puck for an awkward redirect that beat Jakub Dobes for a 1-0 Hurricanes lead after just 2:33 of game time.
The Habs and Hurricanes traded goals within the first minute of action in the series opener on Thursday.
The Canadiens can take firm control of the series - a win in this game would send them back to Montreal with a 2-0 series lead, which the Hurricanes are trying to avoid.
You can listen to the rest of this game LIVE on TSN690 Montreal.
