POLLS     NHL     FACEBOOK

HOUSE OF HOCKEY


Montreal Canadiens expected to bench 20 goal scorer for Game 3 after disastrous overtime blunder


PUBLICATION
Tyler Ball
May 24, 2026  (6:58 PM)
SHARE THIS STORY

Montreal Canadiens center Oliver Kapanen (91) celebrates goal against the Winnipeg Jets in the first period at Canada Life Centre.
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

The Montreal Canadiens lost Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals in heartbreaking fashion and are now expected to change things up after a key mistake from forward Oliver Kapanen.

The Montreal Canadiens came into Game 2 hoping to put a strangle hold on the series by winning both road games against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Canadiens continued to play their counter attack style and take advantage of the limited opportunities that the Hurricanes gave up forcing overtime in Game 2.
Unfortunately, a sloppy turnover from forward Oliver Kapanen led to an overtime goal for the Hurricanes tying the series up at 1-1.
Now, with a crucial game three on the horizon, many are expecting Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis to make a change taking out Kapanen after his fatal mistake.

Canadiens likely to bench forward Oliver Kapanen after costly mistake in overtime loss

With the struggles from Kapanen, fans are now questioning St Louis' choice to bring him back in the lineup for this series.
Instead, fans are hoping that the Canadiens bench boss returns to Joe Veleno who was in the lineup for much of the series against the Buffalo Sabres.
I don't understand why Kapanen replaced Veleno in the CH lineup... Can someone explain it to me?
Heading into the playoffs, Kapanen was expected to be a key contributor after scoring 22 goals this season in his rookie campaign for the Habs but has struggled to adapt his game to the playoffs.
With Game 3 generally being the most important in a series that is tied 1-1 the choice that St. Louis could make or break the Canadiens chances of heading to the Stanley Cup Finals.
POLL
1 HOUR AGO|38 ANSWERS
Montreal Canadiens expected to bench 20 goal scorer for Game 3 after disastrous overtime blunder

Do you think the Montreal Canadiens should bench Oliver Kapanen for Game 3?


HOUSE OF HOCKEY
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT