Preview: ECF, Game 2 vs. Montreal

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Carolina Hurricanes will look to bounce back from their first loss of the postseason as they host the Montreal Canadiens for Game 2 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Final

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When: Saturday, May 23

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: TNT, truTV, HBO Max; SN, CBC, TVAS

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Series: 1-0 MTL

The Series So Far...

• Game 1: Seth Jarvis struck in the first minute, but the Canadiens roared back with four first-period goals and cruised to a 6-2 victory.

On The Rebound...

• After tasting defeat at home for the first time in 53 days, the Hurricanes now turn their attention to tying the series before hitting the road for Games 3 and 4.
• Carolina went 22-7-0 in games following a loss during the regular season, showcasing the club's ability to respond to adversity. It's certainly a different challenge in the playoffs, but one Rod Brind'Amour knows his group is up for.
• "I think we've been through this before. It's a tough night. It's tough at this time of year to have those," he said following Game 1. "We don't have a lot of those at all like that, and we're going to have to bounce back, clearly. I have all the faith in the world that we will."

In Net...

• Frederik Andersen allowed more than two goals in a game for the first time this postseason in Game 1, finishing the outing with 16 saves on 21 shots. The veteran is expected to remain between the pipes as he and his team look to recover in Game 2. "That game wasn't on him at all," said Brind'Amour of his netminder's Game 1 performance. "Freddie's pretty calm. One of his strengths is that he's able to just move on."
• Brandon Bussi would be the next expected option in the event Andersen needs a break. The first-year backstop wrapped up the regular season on a heater, following up his first set of consecutive losses (0-3-0) with a 6-0-1 run and allowing two or fewer goals in four of those wins.
• Pyotr Kochetkov also remains waiting in the wings. Although he made two conditioning loan starts with Chicago (AHL) following multiple lower-body surgeries this winter, his last NHL action came on Dec. 20.

On The Other Side...

• Montreal's talent was on display in Game 1, stunning the Canes with a four-goal first period en route to a 6-2 victory.
• Juraj Slafkovsky co-led his team with three points, including a pair of third-period goals that snuffed out Carolina's comeback bid. Nick Suzuki (3A) and Cole Caufield (1G, 1A) also helped set the pace for the Habs.
• In net, Jakub Dobeš rebounded from Carolina's first-minute goal with 25 saves on 27 shots. The Czech rookie has returned to form after conceding 12 goals in three games against Buffalo, allowing just four in his last two outings.

Injury Updates...

• The Canes currently do not have any injuries at this time.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their BLACK uniforms for the contest. They will wear black for every home game and white for every road game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to practice on Sunday before traveling to Montreal for Monday's Game 3.
• Next Game: Monday, May 25 | ECF, Game 3 at Montreal | 8 p.m. ET | How To Watch
• Next Home Game (if necessary): Friday, May 29 | ECF, Game 5 vs. Montreal | How To Watch | Tickets | Parking