Newhook’s OT winner lifts Canadiens past Sabres 3-2 in Game 7

Monday, May 18, 2026Confirmed

Sports Desk

What we know

Alex Newhook scored 11:22 into overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of their second-round series Monday night in Buffalo, sending Montreal to the Eastern Conference final. It was Newhook's second Game 7 series-clinching goal of these playoffs after his regulation winner against Tampa Bay in the first round.

Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc scored in the first period before Buffalo erased a 2-0 deficit; Rasmus Dahlin tied it in the third. Jakub Dobes made 37 saves. Montreal will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the East final beginning Thursday in Raleigh. Newhook joined Nathan Horton (2011) as the only players with two Game 7 series-clinchers in a single postseason.

What's confirmed

AP: Canadiens 3, Sabres 2 (OT); Newhook winner at 11:22; second Game 7 clincher of the playoffs (AP).
NHL.com: Danault and Bolduc scored; Dobes 37 saves; Montreal advances to face Hurricanes on Thursday (NHL.com).
CBS Sports / Sportsnet: Series — Canadiens win 4-3; Buffalo finishes 1-7 in Game 7s (CBS/Sportsnet).
ESPN: Box score confirms 3-2 OT final; MTL wins series 4-3 (ESPN).

What's still developing

How quickly Montreal resets after a seven-game series against a rested Carolina club.
Goaltending matchup and lineup decisions for East final Game 1.
Buffalo's offseason path after ending its long playoff drought.

Sources

AP News — Newhook scores in OT to lift Canadiens over Sabres 3-2 in Game 7 link
NHL.com — Newhook scores in OT, Canadiens top Sabres in Game 7 to advance to East Final link
CBS Sports — Newhook scores in OT to lift Canadiens over Sabres 3-2 in Game 7 link
Sportsnet — Canadiens top Sabres in Game 7, advance to Eastern Conference Final link
ESPN — Canadiens 3-2 Sabres box score (May 18, 2026) link