Alex Newhook scored an overtime goal Tuesday to give the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 [1].

The win advances Montreal to the Eastern Conference Finals, ending a high-stakes second-round series and eliminating Buffalo from the 2026 NHL playoffs [2].

Newhook secured the win 11:22 into the overtime period [3]. The goal served as the deciding factor in a tightly contested game that required the extra frame to determine which team would progress in the postseason [1].

This performance marks the second Game 7 winning goal of the postseason for Newhook [3]. His ability to produce in elimination games has become a pivotal element of the Canadiens' deep run this year [1].

With the victory, Montreal now moves forward to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final [4]. The series against Buffalo was defined by narrow margins, culminating in this 3-2 final score [2].

The Canadiens will now prepare for the final hurdle before the Stanley Cup Finals. Buffalo's season ends following the loss in this decisive seventh game [2].

“Alex Newhook scored an overtime goal Tuesday to give the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory”

Montreal's advancement to the Eastern Conference Finals signals a significant shift in the league's power dynamics, as the team has relied on clutch performances from Newhook in elimination scenarios. By overcoming Buffalo in a Game 7, the Canadiens enter the next round with momentum, though they face a formidable opponent in the Carolina Hurricanes.