The Montreal Canadiens are set to host the Carolina Hurricanes for Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference finals on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the Bell Centre.
The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 after Carolina's 3-2 overtime win in Game 2.
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Montreal reached the conference finals after winning Game 7 on the road against both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres.
The Canadiens boast the NHL's youngest playoff roster, anchored by veteran winger Josh Anderson.
Anderson's Leadership Key for Young Core
Anderson, 32, ranks second on the team with five postseason goals and leads all forwards with 42 hits entering Monday's game.
He described the playoff run as an emotional roller-coaster but emphasized the team's enjoyment of the extended season.
"We're having a ton of fun together playing this late into the playoffs," Anderson said. He stressed the collective mindset, adding, "We just got to keep going.
Spend more time together and win more hockey games."
Head coach Martin St. Louis took over in February 2022 during the franchise's lowest point.
He credited veteran players for buying into the long-term vision and helping execute the rebuild.
"They bought into, 'We're going to turn this around,'" St. Louis said.
He expressed happiness that the veterans could see the plan through, allowing younger players to benefit from their patience and mentorship.
Top draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky, 22, credited Anderson for teaching him about positioning and physical play. "I sit next to him in a locker room," Slafkovsky said.
