Canadiens beat Sabres 3-2 OT

Montreal reached the Eastern Conference final on Monday, May 18, after Alex Newhook scored 11:22 into overtime for a 3-2 Game 7 win over Buffalo at KeyBank Center, according to NHL.com. The victory gave the Canadiens the second-round series 4-3 and set up a meeting with the Carolina Hurricanes, who had already secured the East’s other spot. ESPN’s playoff bracket and NHL.com’s roundup both listed Carolina-Montreal as the conference final matchup after the result. ### Who ended the series, and when did it happen? Alex Newhook scored the winner 11:22 into overtime after taking a pass from Mike Matheson and beating Buffalo goaltender Devon Levi, NHL.com said in its game recap. The goal ended a winner-take-all game that had been tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. Monday’s game was played on May 18 in Buffalo, even though some coverage published on May 19 because the result posted after midnight in some time zones. (nhl.com) NHL.com’s recap identified it as Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at KeyBank Center. ### How did Montreal get to overtime in the first place? Montreal got goals from Juraj Slafkovsky and Kaiden Guhle before Newhook finished the game in overtime, according to NHL.com’s recap and game center. (nhl.com) Buffalo forced extra time with a late push that left the score level at 2-2. Buffalo’s team recap said the Sabres “engineered one last comeback to force overtime,” but their season ended on Newhook’s goal. (nhl.com) Sabres coach Lindy Ruff later called the run “a giant step” for his team, according to NHL.com. ### What exactly did this win clinch for Montreal? The Canadiens’ win sent them into the Eastern Conference final against Carolina, the No. 1 seed in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference, NHL.com said. (nhl.com) Montreal entered that matchup as the No. 3 seed from the Atlantic Division. ESPN’s 2026 playoff coverage also listed Montreal as the team advancing from the Sabres series and noted that Carolina had not played since May 9 before the matchup was finalized. (nhl.com) That gave the Hurricanes a longer layoff heading into the round. ### Why does Carolina have home ice? Carolina earned home-ice advantage by finishing as the East’s top seed, NHL.com said in its conference-final preview. (nhl.com) The Hurricanes also reached the round after sweeping their first two playoff series, according to Hurricanes.com. Raleigh will host the opener because the series starts in the building of the higher-seeded team. (espn.com) NHL.com and Hurricanes.com both said Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday at Lenovo Center. ### What is next on the schedule? Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final is set for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Raleigh, North Carolina, with TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC and TVAS carrying the game, according to NHL.com. (nhl.com) The Hurricanes’ team site said the series begins at Lenovo Center. The winner of Carolina-Montreal will move on to the Stanley Cup Final against the Western Conference champion. (nhl.com) Daily Faceoff and other playoff schedule listings identified the other semifinal as Colorado against Vegas. (dailyfaceoff.com)