Montreal Canadiens centre Alex Newhook (15) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with defenseman Lane Hutson (48) during the third period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (The Canadian Press)
In an extraordinary conclusion to one of the tightest series in NHL history, the Montreal Canadiens secured a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Alex Newhook’s third-period goal, just under half-way through the final frame, proved to be the game-winner.
Strong Start from Montreal
The Canadiens opened the scoring early in the first period with Nick Suzuki’s rebound goal. The team struck first after Suzuki’s shot bounced off Lightning defender J.J. Moser, and into the back of the net.
Tampa Bay’s Response
Tampa Bay responded in the second period with a power-play goal from Dominic James at 13:27, evening the score at 1-1. Despite being outshot 25-8 in the final two periods, Montreal’s defense stood strong as rookie goalie Jakub Dobes made crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Newhook’s Heroics in the Third
With the score tied heading into the third period, Newhook’s brilliance shone through. At 11:07 of the third, Newhook broke the tie after a fantastic play behind the net, sneaking a shot past Vasilevskiy on the short side. His goal proved to be the difference maker.
Dobes' Impressive Performance
Rookie goalie Jakub Dobes put on an outstanding performance, stopping 28 shots, including several key saves late in the game. Dobes held firm despite being under intense pressure, as Montreal was outshot 25-8 in the final two periods. Dobes, who grew up idolizing Tampa Bay’s goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, was visibly elated by the win.
Defensive Resilience Seals Victory
Montreal’s defense displayed incredible resilience, blocking shots and clearing the puck from dangerous areas, holding off Tampa Bay’s offensive pushes, particularly late in the third period. The Canadiens secured their seventh Game 7 victory in eight tries this century.
Looking Ahead: Canadiens vs Sabres
With their hard-fought win, the Canadiens will now face the Buffalo Sabres, who eliminated the Boston Bruins in their first-round series. Montreal will look to continue their playoff run in the quest for the Stanley Cup, with Newhook, Dobes, and Suzuki playing pivotal roles in the team’s playoff journey.
