<p><strong>Alex Newhook scored the game-winner, his seventh of the playoffs, that sent the Sabres faithful into complete silence</strong>.</p><p>Montreal rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes recorded 37 saves, now winning back-to-back Game 7s these playoffs and having yet to lose two games in a row.</p><p>It's the Canadiens' first time advancing to the ECF since 2021, the same year they went on to lose in the Stanley Cup Final, and their fifth Game 7 overtime win, first since 1992. </p><p>It'll now be a showdown against the Carolina Hurricanes, who swept their way to the ECF, taking down the Senators and then the Philadelphia Flyers. Game 1 between them and the Canadiens is scheduled for Thursday, May 21st, which will have been 11 days of rest for the Canes.</p>

Recap & Highlights

<p><strong>Phillip Danault recorded his first goal of the playoffs to put the Habs out in front 1-0 just 4:30 after puck drop</strong>. Kaiden Guhle (6) and Alexandre Texier (4) recorded the assists. </p><p>It was Montreal's eighth-straight postseason game with a goal in the first period, tying a franchise record (1993, 1978). </p><p>The game wouldn't see its first power play until almost 13 minutes in after Buffalo's Zach Benson got hit with a two-minute minor for delay of the game - the only penalty of the first period, a big step down from the seven in Game 6. </p><p>Montreal took advantage.</p><p><strong>Zachary Bolduc scored his third goal of the playoffs to make it a 2-0 game, with assists from Nick Suzuki (9) and Lane Hutson (12). </strong>It marked Montreal's seventh power-play goal in their last 17 attempts.</p><p>Hutson became the fifth defenseman in Habs playoff history to record a six-game assist streak, joining Jacques Lemaire (1973), Larry Robinson (1978), Frank Mahovlich (1973), and Henri Richard (1960). </p><p>Meanwhile, Suzuki became just the second in Habs history (Mats Naslund, 1987) to record at least one point in eight-straight postseason games on the road. </p><p>Montreal led after the first period for the fourth time this series (Games 2, 4, 6) - they went 1-2 in those games. From the second period onwards in those three games, Buffalo outscored them 9-3. </p><p>The Habs went into this second period leading in shots (11-9), hits (14-7), and blocked shots (5-2). </p><p>Buffalo thought they might get their first power play of the game when a high-sticking penalty was called. But after further review, Zach Benson hit his own teammates in Josh Norris, drawing a bloody lip. </p><p>It would take a full 33:19 of game time before the Sabres finally found the net in the second period on their 15th shot on goal for the game.</p><p><strong>Jordan Greenway scored his second goal of the playoffs to cut the lead in half, 2-1. </strong>The goal was originally credited to Mattias Samuelsson, who took the shot, but it bounced off Greenway.</p><p>Beck Malenstyn (2) and Jordan Greenway (2) picked up the assists.</p><p>Buffalo flipped the switch in the second period, entering the final frame with 58 shots (23 on goal) compared to Montreal's 30 (18 on goal). Neither team committed a penalty in the second, making it the fewest penalties in the first two periods between both teams in the series. </p><p>The Sabres had a chance at the start of the third period for their first power play of the game after Danault was called for a high-sticking on Samuelsson, but couldn't find the net. </p><p>But Buffalo preferred even strength. </p><p><strong>Seven minutes into the third period, who else could it be but Rasmus Dahlin to tie things up 2-2 for the Sabres. </strong>Following the goal, the Sabres increased their shot total advantage to 70-38 over the Habs.</p><p>Dahlin scored his fourth goal of the playoffs, with assists from Owen Power (6) and Ryan McLeod (4), after coming off a historic five-point game.</p><p>His goal marked the 12th by a Sabres defenseman this postseason - the most by any team. </p><p>The game would enter overtime with only one penalty assessed to each team. </p><p>Buffalo had outshot 34-22 (SOG), while the Habs still kept the lead in both hits (24-19) and blocked shots (19-9). Montreal had only four shots on goal in the third period as the momentum completely swung in Buffalo's favor. </p><p>In the end, it was Montreal who emerged victorious.</p>