The Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres met in a high‑stakes Game 7 of their second‑round series, with a berth in the Eastern Conference finals on the line.
A Night of Overtime Drama
Alex Newhook emerged as the hero, wiring a wrist shot in overtime to give Montreal a 3‑2 victory, his second game‑winning goal of the postseason.
The goal placed Newhook among an exclusive group of fourteen NHL players who have scored multiple sudden‑death winners in the same playoff run.
Following the win, the Canadiens will open the next series at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that has swept each of its first two matchups and enjoyed an eleven‑day rest, the longest interval between playoff games in league history.
The Hurricanes, who have not dropped a game in the opening two rounds, will test a Montreal squad that has been bolstered by a deep roster featuring veterans such as Rasmus Dahlin and Jake Evans.
Buffalo’s campaign, while ending in disappointment, was marked by a breakout season that saw the Sabres capture their first Atlantic Division title and snap a fourteen‑year playoff drought.
Montreal’s forward group also includes Alexandre Carrier, Zachary Bolduc and Jordan Greenway, while goaltender Jakub Dobes turned in 37 saves to preserve the lead.
In net, Sabres starter Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen made 22 stops, but the effort fell short as the Canadiens’ defense held firm.
The win marks the first time since the pandemic‑shortened 2021 run that Montreal has advanced to the conference finals, a milestone that resonates with players like Lindy Ruff and Mike Matheson who have witnessed the franchise’s ups and downs.
Adding another layer of narrative, Newhook returns to the ice after a three‑month absence caused by a broken ankle, a setback he overcame to deliver the decisive blow.
The series will continue with the Hurricanes hosting Game 1 on Thursday, setting the stage for a clash that could reshape the path to the Stanley Cup.