Alex Newhook scores in OT to lift Canadiens over Sabres in Game 7

Associated Press AP Mon, May 18, 2026 • 11:22 PM

Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier (45) blocks a shot by Sabres left wing Jason Zucker in front of goaltender Jakub Dobes during the first period in Game 7 on Monday. (AP)

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7-winning goal of the postseason, this time 11:22 into overtime in the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.

Newhook drove up the left wing and as he approached the circle snapped a shot through a screen that beat goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen inside the far post. Newhook also scored the decisive goal, breaking a 1-1 tie 11:07 into the third period, in Game 7 of Montreal’s first-round series win over Tampa Bay.

Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc also scored for the Canadiens, and Jakub Dobes finished with 37 saves.

Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin forced overtime by tying the score 6:27 into the third period. Jordan Greenway also scored. Luukkonen finished with 22 saves.

The Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference finals, where they’ll face the well-rested Hurricanes in a series set to open at Carolina on Thursday. The Hurricanes have swept each of their first two series and been off since a 3-2 overtime win against Philadelphia on May 9.

Carolina’s 11-day break between playoffs games is the longest in NHL history.