The Montreal Canadiens fell 3-2 in overtime to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on May 24, 2026, at the Bell Centre. The loss gives the Hurricanes a 2-1 series lead.
Carolina's Sebastian Aho scored the game-winning goal at 7:23 of the extra period, beating Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault. The Hurricanes had taken a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas.
Montreal rallied in the second period with goals from Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield to tie the game 2-2. The Canadiens outshot the Hurricanes 35-28 in regulation but could not find the winner before overtime.
Game 4 is scheduled for May 26, 2026, also at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens will need a win to even the series before it shifts back to Raleigh for Game 5.
