Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule After Canadiens Eliminate Sabres in Game 7

There was only one game on the NHL playoff schedule Monday, and it couldn't have been a more important one.

The Buffalo Sabres hosted the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of their second-round series with a spot in the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes hanging in the balance. It was the final game of the second round with the Western Conference Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights already set.

Here is a look at how it unfolded.

Monday Results

• Eastern Conference Second-Round Game 7: Canadiens 3, Sabres 2 in overtime (Canadiens wins series, 4-3)

Wednesday Schedule

• Western Conference Final Game 1: Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche, 8 p.m. ET

Monday Highlights

Canadiens 3, Sabres 2 (OT)

Alex Newhook is a Montreal Canadiens hero.

The forward scored the game-winning goal in overtime of Monday's Game 7 to propel his team to the Eastern Conference Final. Buffalo seemed to be in control throughout the third period and overtime, but it didn't matter when Alex Newhook delivered.

All the momentum was on Buffalo's side heading into Monday's contest after Montreal failed to close the series at home in Game 6. However, the Canadiens must have missed the memo given their start.

Phillip Danault started the scoring for the visitors within the first five minutes before Zack Bolduc doubled the advantage with a power-play goal. It was suddenly 2-0 in favor of Montreal through the first period, which left the crowd somewhat stunned.

Yet Buffalo was not about to go down without a fight.

The home team finally broke through in the second period when Jordan Greenway found the back of the net. It was part of a largely dominant period for the Sabres, although they managed just the single goal with Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes turning away a number of golden opportunities.

He couldn't turn away Rasmus Dahlin's shot in the third period, though, which tied the game as Buffalo continued to control the proceedings following its slow start. It also appeared as if the Sabres took the lead just minutes later with another goal, but the officials said it did not count because the whistle blew.

Dobes, who stopped 37 of the 39 shots he faced, and Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who stopped 22 of the 25 shots he faced, each made important saves from there to force overtime.

All of those saves from Dobes in particular to keep his team alive proved critical because all it took was one magical moment from Newhook in the extra period.