Alex Newhook’s overtime goal propelled the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round. The Canadiens will now advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
Newhook scored at 11:22 of overtime at KeyBank Center on Monday. He capitalised on a cross-ice pass from Alexandre Carrier, skating to the top of the left circle and firing a low wrist shot past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
“It’s a crazy feeling. A lot of emotion, obviously,” said Newhook. “It was a war all series long, and for it to end up being Game 7 in overtime, sometimes it just takes one shot. Coming across the line, I just thought there was a shot opportunity. Great to see it find the back of the net, and there’s no better feeling than celebrating with your teammates after a win like that.”
Canadiens Prevail in Game 7 Thriller
Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc also scored for the Canadiens. Goaltender Jakub Dobes made 37 saves.
“I actually felt really good this game,” said Dobes. “… I think me getting pulled at home was kind of a wake-up call. I took it personal. And we won today, so I’m really happy.”
Rasmus Dahlin and Jordan Greenway scored for the Sabres. Luukkonen made 22 saves.
St. Louis Praises Playoff Experience
Montreal, the No. 3 seed from the Atlantic Division, will now face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes are the No. 1 seed from the Metropolitan Division.
Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday in Raleigh, North Carolina. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
“Last year’s experience in the playoffs (a first-round loss in five games to the Washington Capitals), what we’re going through right now, you can’t buy that,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “It’s amazing. I’m so happy for the players to live that.
“It’s unreal to play in the NHL, but to get to live this do-or-die situation, in terms of moving on or you’re done, scoring the big goal in overtime, that feeling that a player has, it’s unbelievable. I’m so happy that we’re getting to live that.”
Sabres Coach Reflects on Season
Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged the disappointment. “It hurts. I told the team it hurts,” Ruff said.
“That pain will go away, but I won’t let this one game define the season we had. I told the players how proud I was of them. The battle that we took into Game 6 in Montreal, and then we came back here and gave ourselves every chance to win. So, this one game doesn’t define our season for us.”
Danault gave Montreal a 1-0 lead at 4:30 of the first period. Kaiden Guhle’s centering pass deflected off his right skate and past the left pad of Luukkonen after Josh Anderson won a race for the puck with Bowen Byram below Buffalo’s goal line.
The Canadiens move on to face the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.