Montreal Canadiens Edge Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7, Advance to Second Round

In Tampa, Florida, the Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 of the first-round playoff series on Sunday night. Alex Newhook scored the go-ahead goal with 8:53 remaining, while Nick Suzuki opened the scoring 1:21 into the first period. Dominic James tied the game on a power-play tip-in in the second period. Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes recorded 28 saves for Montreal.

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Every contest in the series was decided by a single goal, with four games extending to overtime. The score remained within one goal for all but six minutes of the seven-game matchup. This victory marks Montreal’s first series win since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final loss to Tampa Bay, and it ends the Lightning’s run of four consecutive first-round exits. Tampa Bay had previously fallen two wins short of a three-peat in 2022.

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• Alex Newhook – Montreal forward, decisive goal scorer.

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• Nick Suzuki – Montreal forward, first-period scorer and vocal commentator.

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• Jakub Dobes – Montreal rookie goaltender, 28 saves.

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• Jon Cooper – Lightning head coach, provided post-game remarks.

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• Brandon Hagel – Lightning forward, made a late-period sliding stick save.

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• Martin St. Louis – Hockey Hall of Famer on the Canadiens bench, former Lightning player.

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• Andrei Vasilevskiy – Lightning goaltender, involved in Newhook’s rebound.

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• 1:21, 1st period – Suzuki redirects a Kaiden Guhle slap shot; puck deflects off J.J. Moser and into the net.

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• 2nd period – Dominic James tips in Charle-Edouard D’Astous’ one-timer to tie the game on the power play.

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• 8:53, 3rd period – Newhook backhands a rebound off Vasilevskiy’s pad for the lead.

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• Final minute – Hagel executes a sliding stick save with an open net; Lightning fail to score on 6-on-5 and 6-on-4 chances in the last six seconds.

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• Montreal recorded nine shots on goal, becoming the first team to win a playoff game with fewer than ten shots since the 1959-60 season.

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• The Lightning held the Canadiens shotless for nearly 27 minutes across the first and third periods.

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• Montreal posted zero shots in the second period, a feat not seen since Pittsburgh’s shutout period in Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.

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• Tampa Bay’s home playoff record fell to 11 losses in 13 games, including three defeats in this series.

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Montreal now prepares to face the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Wednesday night in Buffalo. The Lightning’s inability to generate offense at home underscores a broader challenge in leveraging home-ice advantage during postseason play. Montreal’s efficiency—winning with minimal shots—highlights their resilience and strategic execution under pressure.

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Lightning coach Jon Cooper noted that a victory does not guarantee a moral win in a decisive Game 7. Suzuki described the arena as “a chaotic environment” and praised the team’s road-season success. Hagel expressed frustration at losing three home games in the series. Martin St. Louis’s presence on the Canadiens bench was highlighted as a rare Game 7 appearance against his former franchise.

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Lightning players and analysts pointed to the team’s failure to produce shots, especially during the shotless second period, and their inability to capitalize on late-minute power-play opportunities. The missed chances in the final six seconds of 6-on-5/6-on-4 play were cited as pivotal shortcomings.

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• “Sometimes you win the game and not the score,” — Jon Cooper, Lightning head coach

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• “When it’s Game 7, there’s no moral victory.” — Jon Cooper, Lightning head coach

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• “It’s a tough building to play in, it’s a chaotic environment out there,” — Nick Suzuki, Montreal forward

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• “You can’t lose three at home,” — Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay forward

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• “Great hand-eye coordination by Newy,” — Nick Suzuki, Montreal forward

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The Montreal Canadiens will open their second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in Buffalo.

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