Canadiens eliminate Sabres as Alex Newhook nets Game 7 overtime winner

Alex Newhook ended Buffalo’s season at 11:22 of overtime on May 18, scoring the winner in the Montreal Canadiens’ 3-2 Game 7 road victory at KeyBank Center. The goal sent Montreal to the Eastern Conference final after a series that had been tied 3-3 entering the deciding game. Jakub Dobes made 39 saves for the Canadiens, including six in overtime, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 22 shots for Buffalo. Montreal built a 2-0 first-period lead on goals from Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc before Buffalo fought back. Jordan Greenway cut the deficit in the second period, and Rasmus Dahlin tied the game with 13:33 left in the third. Buffalo then thought it had gone ahead late in regulation, but the apparent goal was waved off on the ice because of an early whistle. (nhl.com) ### How did the deciding goal happen? Alex Newhook scored his seventh goal of the playoffs off an assist from Alexandre Carrier, according to the NHL game summary. The winner came 11:22 into overtime after Montreal had survived Buffalo pressure in the extra period. Jakub Dobes kept Montreal alive long enough for that chance to matter. (nhl.com) The Sabres’ own recap said the Canadiens goalie made six saves in overtime and 39 overall in the game. ### How close did Buffalo come to winning in regulation? Buffalo had a potential go-ahead goal disallowed with 9:59 remaining in the third period. (nhl.com) The Sabres said Jordan Greenway poked the puck through Dobes’ pads and Beck Malenstyn pushed it across the line, but officials waved it off because of an early whistle. Rasmus Dahlin’s tying goal at 6:27 of the third had already completed Buffalo’s comeback from a two-goal deficit. Greenway’s earlier redirect in the second period had started that push after Montreal controlled much of the opening period. ### What did this game say about the series? The NHL said before puck drop that the matchup had produced only one one-goal game through six contests despite several lopsided scores. (nhl.com) Game 7 broke that pattern, with Montreal winning its second Game 7 in two weeks after also eliminating Tampa Bay in seven games in the first round. Buffalo entered the night trying to reach the conference final after forcing Game 7 with an 8-3 win in Montreal on May 16. That Game 6 victory tied the series after the Sabres overcame a 3-1 first-period deficit behind a five-point night from Dahlin. ### Why is the loss especially notable for Buffalo? (nhl.com) The Sabres’ season ended after what the team described as a surge from last place in December to the Atlantic Division title. Buffalo also ended a 14-year playoff drought this season and won its first playoff series since 2007 before falling one game short of the Eastern Conference final. (nhl.com) Only one previous Buffalo Game 7 win existed in franchise history entering Monday’s game, according to the NHL’s preview. That added weight to a home elimination game that brought the Sabres within one overturned moment of taking the lead late in regulation. ### What comes next for Montreal? (nhl.com) Carolina will face Montreal in the Eastern Conference final, the Hurricanes said after the result became final. The Hurricanes’ team site said the series opens Thursday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2)