Canadiens squander big lead, fall in overtime in Game 2
If the Montreal Canadiens eventually get eliminated in their first round series against the top-seeded Washington Capitals, they’ll look at Game 2 as the definitive game that changed the complexion of the series.
The Canadiens were in control, up 4-1 and 4-2 in the third period, and 5-4 with just minutes remaining before letting the Capitals tie it up and ultimately prevail in overtime.
By all accounts, Montreal outplayed Washington for the majority of the game. But even after the Caps came storming back to tie the game at 4 apiece and grab all the momentum, the Canadiens didn’t blink, regaining the lead late in the third period to stun the home crowd. But they couldn’t close the deal, allowing John Carlson to score with just over a minute left and Nicklas Backstrom net his third goal of the game in the first minute of overtime.
Montreal wasted Andrei Kostitsyn’s hat trick and will need a strong showing at home to regain control of the series. Could the Canadiens be coming back down to earth and playing like the No. 8 seed that they are? Or can they find another gear and shock the league’s best team? Monday’s Game 3 could not be more important.
