Andrei Svechnikov hailed the Carolina Hurricanes’ toughest effort after their overtime Game 3 win over the Montreal Canadiens, a goal that was later awarded to him. The victory gives Carolina a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final and moves the Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t just win Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final in overtime — they did it with their season’s weight on the line, after the moment that mattered first refused to settle.
When the goal went in during Monday night’s Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens, who scored it was initially unclear. The finish has since been awarded to Andrei Svechnikov, and the result was immediate: Carolina took a 2-1 series lead in the East Final.
Svechnikov didn’t try to dress it up afterward. In an interview with Sportsnet following Monday night’s win, the Carolina star said: “Good feelings. It was one of the hardest games we played. Good thing we won that game. I think it was a lot to fight for. Like I said, good thing we won that game.”
The overtime nature of the series has been the defining rhythm. The East Final began with a lopsided Game 1 Canadiens win, but after that, each of the last two games went to overtime — and each one has ended in Carolina’s favor.
That’s a swing that lands deeper than just one result. The Hurricanes entered this East Final with a record of 1-16 in the East Final since 2009, a stretch that has long haunted their postseason history. Now, after Monday’s win, they’ve doubled that win total.
Svechnikov also pointed to the belief inside the group, and to the goaltending steadying everything in real time. “We’re very confident in the group we’ve got here. Everyone knows what kind of role they got. And (goalie Frederik Andersen) is playing amazing. So we just gotta continue doing that, and stick with our plan for the games,” he said, via Sportsnet.
Carolina’s pathway is suddenly clear enough to feel tangible: they are two wins away from the Stanley Cup Final. If they can finish the job in Game 4 on Wednesday night, they would seize a commanding 3-1 series lead when the Hurricanes return to the ice against the Canadiens.
Andrei Svechnikov Carolina Hurricanes Montreal Canadiens Eastern Conference Final Game 3 overtime Frederik Andersen Stanley Cup Final