Close Isn't Good Enough For The Canadiens | Defector

Carolina outplayed Montreal through shot differential and sustained defensive pressure, holding a 38-13 advantage in Game 3. Montreal struggled to advance the puck without surrendering possession, yet the game remained tightly contested for 74 minutes. Carolina’s offense generated chances that relied on probability, peppering Jakub Dobes and producing goals at key moments. Shayne Gostisbehere scored early, Taylor Hall added a goal before intermission, and Mike Matheson tied the game in the second period with a quick shot from close range. Cole Caufield scored in the second period, assisted by Lane Hutson, who finished a power-play sequence with precise passing. Carolina won 3-2 in overtime to take a 2-1 series lead.

"The Canes held a 38-13 advantage in Game 3. You could see it just by watching, as the Habs struggled again and again to move the puck up the ice without ceding possession to a ruthless Carolina defense. And you can see it-barely-in the conclusion: 3-2 Canes in overtime, to take a 2-1 series lead."

"Game 3 followed much the same script as Game 2, down to the final score and overtime outcome. But for all the ways that Carolina dominated the run of play, Monday night was in reality as tight as playoff hockey gets. The Canes peppered Jakub Dobes and a few got through; their offense is built on the laws of probability. Montreal, with less volume, required some individual inspiration and luck to keep pace. Maybe the most extraordinary part is that they did, for 74 minutes."

"Shayne Gostisbehere opened the scoring for the Canes, and Taylor Hall snagged one before intermission, in a period where the Habs were outshot 15-5. But in between those two, Mike Matheson, the old dog on D, got Montreal on the board. He was in the right place at the right time to receive a pass up high after some grimy play beneath the net, and with no bodies between him and Freddie Andersen, Matheson lasered a shot into the near-side corner that the Canes goalie could not catch."

"The only goal in the second period came from Montreal's best scorer and one of their very best passers, working in reversed roles. Cole Caufield scored 51 goals this year-19 more than the top Hurricane-and Lane Hutson picked up 66 assists-13 more than the top Hurricane. Moving into the attacking zone in tandem on the power play, Caufield made a short dish to Hutson, Hutson gave it back, and with the defense still trying to get its bearings Hutson cut to the far side of the net. Caufield found him with a longer pass right to the doorstep, where the 22-year-old had no problem finishing."

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