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Storm surge! Grades and takeaways from the Hurrica...

ESPN · May 24, 2026, 3:45 AM

Key takeaways

  • The Carolina Hurricanes avoided a second straight home loss in the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens to even their series at 1-1.
  • Who are the players to watch next game, and what are the big questions facing the Hurricanes and Canadiens ahead of Game 3 on Monday?
  • After that Game 1 disaster, this was more like the Hurricanes we've come to know, for better or worse.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

The Carolina Hurricanes avoided a second straight home loss in the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens to even their series at 1-1. In the process, they broke a historic streak of futility in the second-to-last round in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

How did both teams perform? Who are the players to watch next game, and what are the big questions facing the Hurricanes and Canadiens ahead of Game 3 on Monday?

After that Game 1 disaster, this was more like the Hurricanes we've come to know, for better or worse. Better: Carolina limited Montreal to just 12 shots on goal and controlled time in the attacking zone. Worse: Offensively, they still looked like the team that was searching for that key goal at a key time in the conference finals, which has been the hex on Rod Brind'Amour's teams during his tenure in Raleigh. It was supposed to be different this time, the Hurricanes vowed. And it was.

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