The Montreal Canadiens! Are moving on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 on Sunday evening.
Alex Newhook scored the go-ahead goal at the 11:07 mark of the third period, and Canadiens’ goalie Jakub Dobes turned in an impressive performance in Benchmark International Arena to help Montreal advance to face the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the NHL playoffs.
The Canadiens were outshot 29-9 in Game 7.
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Canadiens Moving on in NHL Playoffs
GettyMONTREAL, CANADA – MAY 01: Jakub Dobes #75 of the Montreal Canadiens allows the game-winning goal to Gage Goncalves #93 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first overtime period in Game Six of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 01, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
How did this game unfold? The Canadiens drew first blood in game seven with a Nick Suzuki goal in the 18th minute of the first period that appeared to have bounced off a Lightning defender
With a 1-0 lead in the second quarter, Tampa Bay responded with a power play goal by Dominic James (the only goal that Jakub Dobes would allow) to tie the game at one.
Then came the third period, which was pretty much dominated by the Lightning. However, the Canadiens got a friendly bounce off the stick of Alex Newhook, which squeaked by Andrei Vasilevskiy, and gave the Canadiens the one-goal advantage halfway through the third period.
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Canadiens Did Not Record a Shot on Goal in the 2nd Period
You almost wouldn’t believe that the Canadiens won the biggest game of their season without recording a shot on goal in an entire period.
Per the TNT broadcast and many stat reports, for the first time in the Canadiens playoff history, Montreal did not record a shot on goal in the second period.
GettyTAMPA, FLORIDA – MAY 03: Jakub Dobes #75 of the Montréal Canadiens makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Canadiens to Face Buffalo Sabres in Atlantic Showdown
In the Atlantic Division portion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it will be the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres squaring off, with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
These two teams know each other well, and after such a gutsy Game 7 win against the Lightning, the Canadiens can’t be ruled out in any series or game.
The Eastern Conference semis are sure to be as entertaining as this Lightning-Canadiens series
More on Jakub Dobes’ Game 7 Performance
The undoubted hero for the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 was Jakub Dobes. Dobes stopped 28 shots that came on net from the Lightning, which was good for a .966 save percentage.
Just an overall really impressive performance for the rookie netminder out of Czechia.
He’s 24 years old and already putting together some of the best playoff performances in the Canadiens franchise history.
In the Canadiens’ game six loss to the Lightning, Dobes saved 32 shots for a .970 save %.
Montreal Canadiens Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 to Advance in Stanley Cup Playoffs