Montreal Canadiens defeat Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in OT in Game 7 to advance to Eastern Conference Final
Posted May 18, 2026 06:33:23 PM.
The Montreal Canadiens are headed to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2015 after Alex Newhook scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 Game 7 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.
In a series defined by resilience, the Canadiens once again found a way to answer adversity. Montreal dropped the opener, trailed repeatedly throughout the second round, and faced another momentum swing after surrendering a two-goal lead in Game 7. Still, the Canadiens delivered when the moment demanded it most.
Newhook’s winner capped off another dramatic chapter in a postseason run that continues to gather belief inside Montreal.
Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc also scored for the Canadiens, while Jakub Dobeš turned aside several key chances to help Montreal advance to the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2021.
The Canadiens will now face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
Fast start gives Montreal early control
Montreal dictated the pace early and was rewarded before the midway point of the opening period.
Kaiden Guhle sent a puck toward the net that redirected off Danault’s skate and slipped past Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give the Canadiens a 1-0 lead.
PHILLIP DANAULT OPENS THE SCORING IN GAME 7 ???? pic.twitter.com/leWLoOHB7u
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 18, 2026
The Sabres pushed back shortly afterward when Jake Quinn found space in front, but Dobeš answered with one of his best saves of the night to preserve Montreal’s advantage.
The Canadiens doubled the lead on the power play with 6:31 remaining in the first period. Nick Suzuki drew defenders toward him before sliding a behind-the-back pass across the zone to Bolduc, who ripped a shot over Luukkonen’s shoulder to make it 2-0.
For a time, Montreal looked fully in control.
ZACHARY BOLDUC WITH AN ABSOLUTE SNIPE ????
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 19, 2026
MONTREAL HAS A 2-0 LEAD! pic.twitter.com/ifuXCneGv6
Sabres respond as tension rises
Buffalo slowly wrestled momentum away in the second period.
Josh Anderson nearly restored Montreal’s two-goal cushion after breaking in alone on a partial breakaway, but missed the net before crashing heavily into the post. The winger eventually returned to the bench, allowing the Canadiens to avoid another injury concern.
Moments later, the Sabres broke through.
Mattias Samuelsson cut the deficit to one with a point shot through traffic, beating a heavily screened Dobeš with 6:41 remaining in the period.
Buffalo found the equalizer later in the frame after sustained pressure in the Montreal zone. Following a faceoff, the puck worked its way to Rasmus Dahlin, who tucked it behind Dobeš to tie the game 2-2.
The sequence sparked frustration from the Canadiens after a Buffalo player collided with Dobeš moments earlier without a goaltender interference penalty being called.
The tension only grew from there.
Dobeš keeps Canadiens alive
The Sabres appeared to take the lead midway through the third period when a loose puck slipped through Dobeš and crossed the goal line.
However, referee Wes McCauley had blown the play dead just before the puck came free, waving the goal off and keeping the game tied.
From that point forward, every mistake carried enormous weight.
Dobeš remained composed under pressure, turning aside several dangerous Buffalo opportunities late in regulation to give Montreal a chance to regroup heading into overtime.
The rookie goaltender continued a playoff run that has quickly transformed him into one of the Canadiens’ most important players.
Newhook delivers the defining moment
Overtime ended with one rush and one finish.
Montreal forced a turnover near its own blue line before quickly transitioning up ice. The puck eventually found Newhook in stride, and the forward snapped a wrist shot past Luukkonen to send the Bell Centre crowd into celebration.
Sticks and gloves flew into the air as teammates flooded the ice around him.
For a franchise searching for another deep playoff run, it was a moment years in the making.
Newhook finished the series with six goals, including the biggest one of Montreal’s season.
Canadiens prepare for Carolina
The victory sends Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in more than a decade, where the Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina finished atop the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season with 113 points, but Montreal handled the Hurricanes well throughout the year, sweeping the three-game season series while outscoring Carolina 15-8.
Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov each recorded five points against the Hurricanes this season, while Slafkovsky scored two game-winning goals in those meetings.
Dobeš started all three games against Carolina, posting a 2.67 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
Bell Centre watch party explodes after Canadiens’ overtime victory
The Bell Centre watch party erupted in celebration as the Canadiens secured a dramatic overtime win, sending fans into chants of “Go Habs Go” that echoed throughout the venue. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters jumping, hugging, and celebrating as Montreal moved one step closer in the playoffs.
Emotions were still running high moments after the final buzzer.
“We were so stressed all along, but Habs came on top,” one fan said.
For many, the experience was overwhelming in the best possible way.
“It was crazy. Ten out of ten,” another fan said.
As the excitement settled slightly, attention quickly turned to what comes next for Montreal.
“Very happy to continue to the next round, and let’s get to the finals,” one supporter said.
Others were already looking ahead to the matchup with Carolina.
“Carolina’s next. It’ll be tough, but we’ll make it through,” another fan said.
“We’re going to round three against the Carolina Hurricanes,” one attendee added.
Some fans admitted they could barely process what had just happened.
“I don’t know. I don’t know, but I’m happy,” one man said with a laugh.
Despite the nerves, the belief in the team remained strong.
“Amazing, but the job’s not finished. We’re only halfway there. Let’s go. Let’s go. We’re going to win it!” said another supporter.
Families inside the arena said the moment was especially meaningful as they shared it together.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be here with my daughter making memories. This is what it’s all about. What a game. What a series. We can’t wait for two more series. Eight more wins. Let’s go!” one father said.
The energy inside the building extended to fans of all ages, including younger supporters caught up in the excitement of overtime.
“The Habs won in overtime,” one little boy said proudly.
Nearby, another young fan was already focused on the next opponent.
“We want the Hurricanes!” a young girl shouted.
For many in attendance, the game was defined by tension and momentum swings.
“Amazing. We won. So stressful. Every shot is important. Bring on the Hurricanes. Go Habs, go!,” one fan said.
Others simply described it as a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere.
“Super good. I’m so excited. We’ve waited so long for that,” another supporter said.
“Best feeling ever. No words to describe how amazing this is right now. It’s the best. It’s the best. Go Habs, go!” another fan added.
Even those who don’t usually support Montreal said the energy in the building was impossible to ignore.
“I’m not a Habs fan, but I got to say, in this city, in this place, we eat, and when we eat, we win!” one attendee said.
Fans also praised individual performances that helped secure the victory.
“The performance, I mean, it was up and down, but we got it in Dobeš, Newhook…That was so exciting!” said one fan holding a “you’re simply Dobeš” sign.
Another supporter proudly pointed out her admiration for Lane Hutson.
“I love Lane Hutson, he’s the best,” she said.
A young fan also celebrated the team’s standout players and overall performance.
“Habs on top. They’re winning the cup. Dobeš was on fire. Nothing was stopping him tonight. Nothing was getting past,” he said.
As the final celebrations continued, many fans stressed that while the win was thrilling, the job is far from over.
“So stressful. Every shot is important. Bring on the Hurricanes,” one fan said.
As the crowd slowly filtered out of the Bell Centre and into downtown Montreal, optimism around the Canadiens’ playoff run remained strong.
“We are very, very excited because for us, it is a real experience that the Habs are going back to the playoffs. And I believe that this year is the year that Montreal is going to have that Stanley Cup,” one fan said.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final is scheduled for Thursday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.
