Nikolaj Ehlers scores OT winner as Hurricanes tie series - ESPN

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes wanted Nikolaj Ehlers for a reason.

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday, he proved worthy of the investment.

The Hurricanes were down 1-0 in their series against the Montreal Canadiens following a painful 6-2 blowout in Game 1. It was Ehlers who spotted Carolina its first lead of this round with a goal late in the second period of Game 2. And it was Ehlers again who put the Hurricanes over the top, scoring an overtime winner to hand Carolina a 3-2 victory and split the series on home ice.

It was the sort of momentum-shifting performance the Hurricanes imagined Ehlers could deliver when they signed him as a free agent in July. For Ehlers to match his entire postseason goal output in Saturday's critical game proved they were right about his ability.

"[It means] everything," Ehlers said. «I can barely talk right now. I was yelling pretty loudly after that. I was just trying to get some speed and get the puck off my stick as quickly as possible and try to surprise the goalie [Jakub Dobes]. Seeing that go in, and seeing how the fans reacted, was pretty cool.»

Ehlers registered the third-most ice time among forwards (18:41) with five shots on goals and two takeaways. After spending the first 10 years of his career in Winnipeg, Ehlers' first season in Carolina had already been better than expected before he delivered in Game 2.

«It's been great so far. It's been special,» he said. «The city has been great; the guys, the organization, everything we can do is special. I felt everything out there [scoring in overtime]. When I signed here, I knew what a great team they had. That was something that excited me, and you know, we're in the Eastern Conference final right now. I'm