Alex Newhook's overtime winner eliminates Sabres in Game 7

Alex Newhook ended Buffalo’s season at 11:22 of overtime on Monday, scoring the winner in the Montreal Canadiens’ 3-2 Game 7 victory at KeyBank Center. The goal sent Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final, where it will face the Carolina Hurricanes. NHL.com said Tuesday that the conference-final schedule had been set, with Carolina opening the series at home on Thursday, May 21. ### How did Game 7 turn on Newhook’s goal? Alex Newhook scored from the top of the left circle 11:22 into overtime, beating Buffalo goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to finish the series. NHL.com said it was Newhook’s first career playoff overtime goal. Montreal had taken a 2-0 lead before Buffalo forced extra time. (nhl.com) The Canadiens got goals from Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc, while Buffalo answered through Jordan Greenway’s deflection of a Mattias Samuelsson shot and a third-period equalizer from captain Rasmus Dahlin. ### How did Buffalo get to overtime and still lose? (nhl.com) Buffalo erased a two-goal deficit in regulation, extending its season after trailing 2-0. The Sabres tied the game in the third period, but could not convert in overtime before Newhook’s winner ended the night. Rasmus Dahlin reacted bluntly after the loss, telling Sabres.com: “It’s one shot that decides the whole season.” Sabres.com described the locker room as emotional after the defeat closed out Buffalo’s 2025-26 campaign. (nhl.com) ### Who does Montreal play next? Carolina will face Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final, NHL.com said in its series lookahead published Tuesday. (nhl.com) The Hurricanes reached the round after a second-round win over the Philadelphia Flyers, while Montreal advanced by beating Buffalo in Game 7 on Monday. The Hurricanes are back in the Eastern final for the second straight season and the third time in four years, according to NHL.com. (nhl.com) Carolina’s team site said the club had swept its first two playoff rounds before drawing Montreal as its next opponent. ### What is the schedule for Hurricanes-Canadiens? NHL.com listed Game 1 for Thursday, May 21, in Raleigh at 8 p.m. (nhl.com) Eastern. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, also in Carolina, before the series shifts to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 on May 25 and May 27. NHL.com’s conference-finals page said Games 5 through 7, if necessary, are set for May 29, May 31 and June 2. (nhl.com) The league page also includes television information for the series. ### Why did the series start later than one earlier scenario suggested? The NHL said on May 14 that the Eastern Conference Final would begin either Tuesday, May 19, or Thursday, May 21, depending on whether Buffalo-Montreal required seven games. (nhl.com) Montreal’s overtime win on May 18 confirmed the later start. Carolina’s team site had published both possibilities in advance, saying the Hurricanes would face either Buffalo or Montreal and that the opening date depended on the second-round series outcome. (nhl.com) After Monday’s result, the matchup and Thursday opener became official. ### What should readers keep straight from here? (nhl.com) Thursday, May 21, is the next key date, with Montreal opening the Eastern Conference Final on the road against Carolina at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. NHL.com’s playoff schedule page lists the full best-of-seven calendar and broadcast details for the series. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2)