The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres met in a high‑stakes Game 7 of their playoff series, the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
Overtime Heroics Propel Montreal
Alex Newhook struck for the Canadiens in overtime, his second game‑winning goal of the postseason, cementing his place among a select group of NHL players with that distinction.
Montreal built an early 2‑0 lead in the first period but saw it evaporate, ultimately falling behind before Newhook’s heroics tied the game and secured the win.
Goalie Jakub Dobes turned in 37 saves, bouncing back from a six‑goal performance in the previous game, improving to 6‑0 in the playoffs when coming off a loss.
Veterans Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc also found the net for Montreal, while Jordan Greenway replied for Buffalo.
With the victory, the Canadiens improved to 17‑9 in Game 7s, surpassing Boston for the most seventh‑game wins in NHL playoff history, and now await the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes, who swept their first two series and have been idle since a 3‑2 overtime win over Philadelphia on May 9, enter the next round with a 11‑day rest — the longest break in NHL history.
Montreal’s recent form shows they have not lost consecutive games since mid‑March, a streak that bodes well as they chase a berth in the Stanley Cup finals.
The Sabres, who captured their first Atlantic Division title and ended a 14‑year playoff drought, will now begin an offseason after a breakout year.