An early goal in Game 2 wasn't enough for the Ottawa Senators, who fell into a 2-0 series hole after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Senators vs. Canadiens 2015 final score: Alex Galchenyuk gives Habs overtime win
Montreal survived in overtime to extend its series lead to 2-0.
Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
After a raucous first game of the series, the second matchup began quietly thanks to solid goaltending from both sides. The Senators managed to squeak one past Habs netminder Carey Price when the hobbled rookie Mark Stone assisted on a wrist shot goal by Clarke MacArthur.
But just as they did in Game 1, the Canadiens saved their best for the second period. Montreal dominated play, culminating in two big goals from their star players. Max Pacioretty got them on the scoreboard first with a power play goal before P.K. Subban fired home a hammering slap shot to gain the Habs the lead.
Ottawa would not go quietly. As they’ve done for the better part of a month, the Senators found a way to stay alive. Patrick Wiercioch’s first career playoff goal late in the third period forced Game 2 to go to overtime. But Montreal’s dominance reemerged when Alex Galchenyuk fired the game-winning goal home past Sens goalie Andrew Hammond just a few minutes into the extra frame.
The series now shifts to Ottawa with the Canadiens holding a 2-0 lead.
3 Things We Learned
1. The Senators look outmatched.
There’s no denying the fantastic story Ottawa became over the last few weeks of the regular season. But you always had to wonder how they’d stack up in a playoff series against a tougher foe. After a slow start, Montreal began dominating the pace of play and didn’t look back. Will that be the summation of the entire series when all is said and done?
2. P.K. Subban has a wicked slap shot.
Seriously. Look at this thing.
3. Penalties doomed Ottawa.
Nothing turns the momentum of a game quite like a string of penalties against your team. The Senators began to lose their grip on the game midway through the second period after the Canadiens scored their first power play goal. But a stretch of four straight Montreal power plays from then through the middle of the third basically sealed their fate.
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