Canadiens Stun Lightning 2-1 in Game 7, Advance to Second Round for First Time Since 2021

Key facts

• Montreal beat Tampa Bay 2-1 in Game 7 on Sunday night, winning the first-round series 4-3.
• Nick Suzuki opened the scoring in the first period with his first goal of the series.
• Alex Newhook scored the go-ahead goal with under nine minutes left in the third period.
• Jakub Dobes made 28 saves for Montreal.
• The Canadiens registered only nine shots on goal, the fewest ever in an NHL postseason win.
• Montreal failed to record a shot on goal in the second period, outshot 12-0 despite two power plays.
• The series featured seven one-goal games, with four going to overtime.
• Montreal will face the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, starting Wednesday in Buffalo.

A Nerve-Shredding Game 7 in Tampa

On a nerve-shredding Sunday night, the Montreal Canadiens stunned the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7, silencing Amalie Arena and sending shockwaves through Quebec. The victory marked Montreal's first second-round appearance since its 2021 Stanley Cup Final run. Every game in this Atlantic Division series was decided by a single goal, and the finale delivered the same razor-thin margin.

Suzuki Opens Scoring, Lightning Answer

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki opened the scoring in the first period, his first goal of the series, giving Montreal an early jolt. The Lightning clawed back in the second frame on a power-play goal by Dominic James, tying the score 1-1. The period was otherwise dominated by Tampa Bay, which outshot Montreal 12-0 despite the Canadiens having two power-play opportunities.

Newhook's Greasy Dagger

With the game tied midway through the third period, Alex Newhook chased a loose puck behind the Tampa net, batted it off the shoulder of goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, and scored the series-winning goal. 'Great hand-eye coordination by Newy,' Suzuki said. 'He's been a big-game player. I'm definitely happy for him.' The goal was a gritty, unforgettable playoff dagger that Habs fans will replay for years.

Dobes Stands Tall Under Siege

Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes made 28 saves, delivering one of the biggest performances of his young career. 'Inside, I'm really happy, but I think it's going to kick in later. Dream big, I guess,' said Dobes, the 24-year-old from Czechia. 'I've always been a dreamer, always wanted these moments, and this is definitely one of the coolest games and situations I've ever been in.' At the other end stood Andrei Vasilevskiy, a future Hall of Famer Dobes had looked up to for years.

Record Fewest Shots in a Playoff Win

The Canadiens managed only nine shots on goal, setting a Stanley Cup playoffs record for fewest shots in a win. They failed to register a shot in the second period for the first time in franchise history. 'Sometimes you win the game and not the score,' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. 'When it's Game 7, there's no moral victory.' Despite being heavily outshot 29-9, Montreal found a way, as it has so many times this season.

A Coming-of-Age Victory for Montreal

For a young Canadiens squad many believed was still a year or two away, this victory marks a major coming-of-age moment. Coach Martin St. Louis' group showed resilience, discipline, and just enough playoff magic to take down a battle-tested Tampa Bay team. Broadcast cameras captured St. Louis celebrating in the dressing room post-game. The series featured seven one-goal games and four overtimes after both teams finished with 106 points in the regular season.

Next Up: Buffalo Sabres in Round Two

Montreal now faces the Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Second Round. Buffalo dispatched the Boston Bruins in six games, clinching with a 4-1 win and earning its first playoff series victory since 2007. The NHL's official second-round schedule has Buffalo hosting Game 1 on Wednesday night and Game 2 on Friday. The series shifts to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively. The Sabres bring speed, firepower, and Tage Thompson, but the Canadiens carry momentum, belief, and underdog swagger.

The bottom line

• Montreal won Game 7 2-1, taking the series 4-3, with every game decided by one goal.
• Jakub Dobes made 28 saves; Montreal set a record for fewest shots in a playoff win (9).
• Alex Newhook scored the series-winning goal in the third period.
• The Canadiens advance to the second round for the first time since 2021.
• Montreal will face the Buffalo Sabres starting Wednesday in Buffalo.
• The series against Tampa Bay featured four overtime games and was the closest possible matchup.