Montreal vs Carolina Prediction 28 May 2026

Montreal once again found themselves playing catch-up in Game 3 of the series, but the Canadiens managed to stay competitive despite Carolina’s overwhelming dominance in possession. Lane Hutson and Mike Matheson both found the net, while Ivan Demidov picked up an assist after a brilliant play from behind the goal line. Montreal looked especially dangerous on the power play-the combination of Caufield and Hutson once again broke down Carolina’s defense with quick puck movement and sharp passing. Jakob Dobes delivered a standout performance in net, stopping 35 shots and keeping the Canadiens in contention for most of the night.

Despite trailing in the series, Montreal are putting together an impressive playoff campaign. This is the first time in this postseason run that the Canadiens have dropped back-to-back games. The last time Montreal faced similar adversity was in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round of 16 against Washington, when they lost the series 1-4, with Alexander Ovechkin scoring the decisive overtime goal in Game 5 at the 62-minute mark.

The biggest concern for Montreal right now remains Carolina’s relentless pressure. In Game 3, the Canadiens were pinned in their own zone for long stretches and struggled to control the puck, especially during the opening period. The number of positional mistakes on zone exits is also worrying, as it allows Carolina to consistently generate second-chance opportunities and keep Montreal under constant pressure.

Carolina once again demonstrated why they’re considered one of the most structured teams in this year’s playoffs. In Game 3, the Hurricanes dominated possession, firing 38 shots on goal compared to Montreal’s 13. Shane Gostisbehere, Taylor Hall, and Andrei Svechnikov found the back of the net, with the Russian winger once again emerging as the overtime hero. Carolina’s pressure without the puck was especially impressive-they consistently disrupted Montreal’s breakouts and suffocated the opposition with extended shifts in the offensive zone. Frederik Andersen also delivered a composed performance between the pipes; the Danish netminder remained unflappable, even with limited action.

Carolina’s current playoff campaign has been close to flawless. After dropping their first postseason game, the team have now returned to their trademark style for two consecutive matches-a style that served them well against Ottawa and Philadelphia: minimal end-to-end hockey, maximum puck and territorial control. The average total goals in the Ottawa series stood at 4.25 per game, while against Philadelphia it was 4.5. The Hurricanes have already won all five of their overtime contests in this year’s Stanley Cup run, becoming just the fourth team in NHL history to achieve such a feat.

What’s equally impressive is how consistently the Hurricanes maintain their structure-even in tightly contested games, they rarely allow opponents any open ice. The team’s remarkable depth also stands out: different lines chip in offensively on a regular basis, and the defensemen frequently join the rush to create numerical advantages in the attacking zone.