Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 7: Key takeaways as Montreal wins instant-classic OT thriller
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Alex Newhook scored the overtime winner as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in Game 7, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals.
- Newhook became the second player in NHL history to score multiple Game 7 series-clinching goals in a single postseason, joining Nathan Horton in 2011.
- The Canadiens, the youngest team in this year’s playoffs, have not lost back-to-back games this postseason and will face the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes in the next round.
- Buffalo rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game but ultimately fell short, finishing with a 2-5 home playoff record despite winning the Atlantic Division and making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
- Both goalies, Jakub Dobeš for Montreal and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for Buffalo, overcame doubts with strong performances, particularly Dobeš’s key saves in the second period.
