Montreal Canadiens v Carolina Hurricanes: How to listen on Sports USA Radio with John Forslund, Jim Fox and Nick Olczyk

Match date: 26 May 2026

Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes meet in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on 26 May 2026 at 01:00 UK time, with Sports USA Radio providing the broadcast for listeners who want live coverage of the Eastern Conference Final clash. The radio team features Rob Brender as presenter, John Forslund on main commentary, Jim Fox as co-commentator, and Nick Olczyk reporting from around the game.

This matchup arrives with the series finely balanced after the teams split the first two games. Montreal won Game 1 by 6-2, scoring four times in the opening period, before Carolina responded with a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2 thanks to a second goal of the night from Nikolaj Ehlers.[4][7] ESPN’s game listing also confirms that the series is tied 1-1 as it returns to Canada for Game 3.[1]

For viewers in North America, the televised coverage in the United States is on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, according to ESPN’s game information.[1] That matters for fans comparing their options, because the radio call on Sports USA offers an alternative for anyone following the game on the move, while the television presentation remains part of the broader TNT playoff package.[1][6]

John Forslund is one of the most recognisable play-by-play voices in hockey, known for his long NHL broadcasting career and his work calling high-profile national games. Jim Fox, a former NHL forward and long-time analyst, brings a player’s perspective to the booth, while Nick Olczyk has built his reputation as a rinkside reporter and analyst with a strong focus on game detail and tactical context. Rob Brender fronts the Sports USA Radio coverage, helping anchor the broadcast for a North American audience that includes listeners in the United States, Canada and the UK.

The setting adds further weight to the occasion. Game 3 is being staged at the Bell Centre in Montreal, one of the NHL’s most atmospheric playoff venues, where the Canadiens will hope to use home ice after a momentum-shifting split in the first two games.[1][4] Montreal’s offence looked sharp in the opener, while Carolina showed resilience in Game 2, with the decisive goal arriving early in overtime.[4]

That contrast makes the radio coverage especially appealing for fans wanting a detailed, real-time account of how the game unfolds. Forslund’s polished play-by-play style, Fox’s analytical background and Olczyk’s reporting should combine to provide a broadcast that is both informative and engaging, particularly for followers tracking every line change, scoring chance and special-teams sequence.

There is also broader interest because the Eastern Conference Final is shaping up as a classic battleground between Montreal’s attacking depth and Carolina’s structure and pace. The Canadiens have already shown they can overwhelm the Hurricanes when they start fast, while Carolina’s overtime win underlined their ability to grind out results in tight playoff hockey.[4][7] For more on the league context and playoff format, the NHL remains the official source for schedules, results and team information.

With the series level and the stakes rising, this is exactly the sort of game where a strong radio team matters. Fans tuning in to Sports USA Radio can expect a polished national broadcast built around one of the NHL’s most experienced play-by-play voices, a veteran analyst with on-ice credentials, and a reporter lineup designed to keep pace with every development in Montreal.

Article generated: 26 May 2026, 01:01 GMT