May 21, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson (50) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game one of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
May 21, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson (50) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game one of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Carolina Hurricanes earned an incredible 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, with Eric Robinson scoring the inaugural goal. Following the match, the NHL Tonight crew highlighted how a team effort led to the score.
Robinson scored a goal on two shots and went plus-2. The NHL Tonight crew recently broke down why he fit so naturally into Carolina's playoff run. The discussion started personally. They started by calling him a "Tremendous young man."
The panel discussed how important depth players have become at this time of year. Carolina’s ability to trust all four lines has become one of the team’s biggest strengths. While analysts praised Robinson, stating, "He's got a great shot," one also said, "It always comes back to trust," highlighting the Hurricanes' strong team game behind Robinson's success.
May 23, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after scoring an overtime goal against the Montréal Canadiens in game two of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
May 23, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after scoring an overtime goal against the Montréal Canadiens in game two of the Eastern Conferene Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
As the postseason keeps running deeper, it demands more of the player’s physically. However, one of the analysts opined that the situation suits the Hurricanes' identity. He said, "They fit right into the identity of the Carolina Hurricanes.
One of them also said, "Everybody needs four lines this time of year because fatigue is there."
With Robinson in the lineup, Carolina has enough depth to keep up their pace without burning out the other players. And the NHL Tonight crew noted that Robinson himself does not appear worried by the weight of a Conference Final.
Breaking Down the Hurricanes’ Incredible Game 2 OT Win Over the Canadiens
Carolina looked much sharper than they did in Game 1, when Montreal’s four-goal in the first period led to a 6-2 loss. Eric Robinson opened the scoring just 2:33 into the first period, took a shot from William Carrier, and went past the goalie Jakub Dobes.
Josh Anderson later tied the game at 1-1 for Montreal. And in the second period, Nikolaj Ehlers put Carolina back in front with a great effort all alone, before beating Dobes' five-hole. Anderson scored again in the third period to make another tie with 2-2.
Ehlers won it for Carolina 3:29 into overtime after Mark Jankowski passed it to him and scored from the slot for his second goal. Jaccob Slavin bounced back after a difficult time in Game 1.
Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky made only four shots throughout. Frederik Andersen made 10 saves on 12 shots, while Dobes stopped 23 shots.
Carolina finally played at their usual pace and looked like their usual selves. Their in-depth scoring, led by Robinson, made the most amount of difference at important moments.
The series now leads to Montreal for Game 3 on Monday at 8 p.m.
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Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Souvik Roy