Alex Galchenyuk scored the game-winner as the Montreal Canadiens edged the Ottawa Senators 3-2 at the end of overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in the first round of the Stanley Cup play-offs on Friday.
Galchenyuk handed the Canadiens, who won game one 4-3, the ascendency in the best-of-seven series with the winning goal less than four minutes into the extra period in Montreal.
The Senators broke a scoreless tie late in the first period on a Clarke MacArthur bullet that he fired over the left shoulder of Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who made 29 saves.
Max Pacioretty, playing in his first game since April 5, restored parity in the second period on a wrist shot, getting an assist from David Desharnais and Andrei Markov.
P.K. Subban, who was ejected from Wednesday's game for a slashing penalty, gave Montreal the lead with a rifle shot from the left side of Andrew Hammond, who did not want any part of the shot.
Ottawa evened the score at 2-2 when Patrick Wiercioch capitalised on a man advantage to beat Price.
Hammond stopped 39 shots for the Senators, but could not stop Galchenyuk's game-winner, which deflected off the goalie's shoulder and hit the post before landing in the net.
The Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks levelled their respective match-ups at 1-1 apiece on Friday.
Jason Chimera struck with a little more than 12 minutes remaining in Washington to give the Capitals a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.
The Predators rolled the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 via a three-goal final period in Nashville.
Nashville blew the game open with three goals in 139 seconds, the last being Mike Santorelli's wrist shot with five minutes remaining.
The three goals in a 2:19 span are the fastest three goals any team has scored in the NHL post-season history.
Meanwhile, a two-goal opening term inspired the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames.