Canadiens 3, Senators 2 (OT)

P.K. Subban figured he needed to make up for being ejected from the opening game of Montreal’s first-round playoff series.

The Canadiens’ star defenseman, drawing inspiration from a vote of confidence from the wife of Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau, responded with a goal in Montreal’s victory over Ottawa in Game 2 — sealed by Alex Galchenyuk’s winner 3:40 into overtime Friday night.

“I didn’t play the whole first game and I wanted to be better,” Subban said. “I had to be. I don’t think I did a good enough job of setting an example (to teammates) in the first game.”

Subban was tossed from the opener, a 4-3 win by Montreal, in the second period with a slashing major and a game misconduct for a two-handed chop to the wrist of Senators scoring leader Mark Stone.

As he was standing around outside the dressing room after the ejection, Elise Beliveau passed by him and told him not to worry, that he would be better in Game 2. After the win, he said Beliveau, whose husband’s death in December was honored with a state funeral, stood up in her seat behind the Canadiens’ bench and showed she was wearing a Subban No. 76 jersey.

“It’s one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen,” Subban said. “It’s good to know I have that support. You know what Jean Beliveau means to this organization — what he means to Canada.”

Galchenyuk’s spin-around shot gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Max Pacioretty, back from a concussion, also scored in regulation for the Canadiens, while David Desharnais picked up two assists.

Game 3 is Sunday in Ottawa.

“It’s great to get an OT goal,” Galchenyuk said. “It’s always nice to get one, but I don’t sit around and think about that. Time will tell when you can rate those kinds of goals.”

Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch scored for the Senators, and Stone added two assists despite limited mobility with a microfracture in his right wrist from the slash by Subban.

“The reality is we’re down two games and we have to find a way to win,” said Ottawa coach Dave Cameron, whose team crept into the playoffs by going 22-4-4 down the stretch. “During our streak, we didn’t look at how far we were back. We won. That’s the focus now. To find a way to win.”

He didn’t blame the game-winner on Hammond, who was beaten when Ottawa failed to clear the puck and Galchenyuk jumped on it.

Pacioretty returned to the lineup for the Canadians after sitting out Game 1 with the head injury he suffered near the end of the regular season.

Carey Price stopped 29 shots for Montreal, while Ottawa’s Andrew Hammond made 39 saves.

Predators 6, Blackhawks 2

Craig Smith scored the first two playoff goals of his career and added an assist, and Nashville cruised past Chicago to tie its Western Conference opening-round playoff series at a game apiece.

The Predators won for the first time since clinching a postseason berth on March 28. Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for the win and even had an assist.

Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist, and Colin Wilson, Roman Josi and Mike Santorelli each scored a goal. Nashville lost captain Shea Weber to a lower-body injury nearly midway through the second period.

Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane scored for Chicago, which is chasing its third Stanley Cup trophy in six years. Corey Crawford, yanked after one period in Game 1, gave up three goals in 2 minutes, 19 seconds.

Game 3 is Sunday in Chicago.

Canucks 4, Flames 1

Eddie Lack made 22 saves and Vancouver defeated Calgary to even its first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

Daniel Sedin, Chris Higgins, Ronalds Kenins and Radim Vrbata scored for the Canucks.

Kris Russell scored late in the third period for the Flames to end Lack’s shutout bid.

Jonas Hiller made 26 saves for Calgary before giving way to Karri Ramo, who came in with 5:52 remaining in the game.

Vancouver went 1 for 3 on the power play, while the Flames failed to convert on their only chance with the man-advantage.

Calgary hosts Game 3 on Sunday.