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Dahlin Ties Game 7, Overtime Winner Faces Hurricanes

5/19/2026

25 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

**Dahlin Forces Overtime**

On May 18, 2026, Rasmus Dahlin’s 6:27 third-period goal tied Game 7 at 2-2, forcing overtime.
Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc scored in the first period for Montreal while goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (20 saves) and Jakub Dobes (32 saves, key stop on Konsta Helenus with 8:03 left) kept their teams alive.
The winner will advance to the Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat Philadelphia 3-2 in overtime on May 9.

Summary

**Dahlin Ties Record**

Buffalo was a -118 favorite with a -1.5 spread and a 5.5 over/under for goals.
The NHL’s “Stanley Pup” segment will air June 8 on truTV and HBO Max to promote dog adoption.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced Alex Lyon, who started Game 1, and secured an 8-3 win in Game 6.
Rasmus Dahlin tied a playoff record with five points in Game 6, earning Norris Trophy finalist as his fiancée recovered from a transplant.

Summary

**Buffalo Game7**

Game 7 starts at 7:30 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center and will air on ESPN, SN, TVAS, CBC.
Buffalo holds a 5-1 road record but a 2-4 home record.
Coach Lindy Ruff cancelled the morning skate and joked he’d rather play on the road.
The Atlantic Division fielded four 100-point teams, making Game 7 a historic showdown.
The Carolina Hurricanes face a nearly two-week layoff before the Eastern Conference Final.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 the Buffalo Sabres lost the Stanley Cup Final when Dallas forward Brett Hull scored a triple-overtime winner at 14:51 of the third OT, a crease-rule controversy that gave Dallas its first championship. Dominik Hasek posted a 1.00 GAA in that series. The current Game 7, featuring Rasmus Dahlin’s third-period tie, echoes that historic heartbreak for the Sabres.

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**Dahlin Forces Overtime**

On May 18, 2026, Rasmus Dahlin’s 6:27 third-period goal tied Game 7 at 2-2, forcing overtime.
Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc scored in the first period for Montreal while goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (20 saves) and Jakub Dobes (32 saves, key stop on Konsta Helenus with 8:03 left) kept their teams alive.
The winner will advance to the Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, who beat Philadelphia 3-2 in overtime on May 9.

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