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Sabres Host Canadiens in Decisive Game 7 Monday

5/19/2026

35 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sabres Host Game 7

The Buffalo Sabres will host Montreal Canadiens for Game 7 at the KeyBank Center on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The series is tied 3-3 after teams won three games, with road wins in Games 5 and 6.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff urged avoiding penalties that give the Canadiens’ power play, converting 28% of its chances (7 of 25).
In Game 6, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posted a shutout while Dahlin tallied five points and Thompson added four.

Summary

Sabres Lock Core

Doug Allen returned to sing the U.S. and Canadian anthems, replacing Cami Clune after leaving during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Forward Alex Tuch entered the offseason as an impending unrestricted free agent deemed “not cheap to keep.”
Defenseman Zach Benson and forward Peyton Krebs were restricted-free agents who would need raises to stay.
The Sabres’ core is locked on contracts, giving GM Jarmo Kekalainen cap space and momentum.

Summary

Canadiens advance

Montreal’s advance to the Eastern Conference final marks the Canadiens’ deepest playoff run since their 2021 Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Alex Newhook became only the second player in NHL history to record two series-clinching Game 7 winners in a single postseason.
Carolina’s 11-day layoff between series is the longest interval between playoff games ever recorded in the NHL.

Summary

Sabres Schedule

Schedule is set: Game 2 Saturday, Games 3-4 in Montreal Monday and Wednesday, and Games 5 (May 29), 6 (May 31) and 7 (June 2) in Raleigh.
Game 7 tickets cost about $300 each and are sold on the KeyBank Center website.
A Sabrehood Block Party opens hours before puck drop at the KeyBank Center, where chairs and food are banned.
Fans can hear WGR 550 or stream via the Buffalo Sabres App, with the pregame show starting at 7 p.m.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 the Buffalo Sabres, led by captain Michael Peca and coach Lindy Ruff, defeated the Washington Capitals in six games to reach the franchise’s second Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Dallas Stars in a six-game series capped by Brett Hull’s controversial triple-overtime winner. That run remains the Sabres’ last Final appearance, a backdrop for today’s Game 7 at KeyBank Center.

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Sabres Host Game 7

The Buffalo Sabres will host Montreal Canadiens for Game 7 at the KeyBank Center on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The series is tied 3-3 after teams won three games, with road wins in Games 5 and 6.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff urged avoiding penalties that give the Canadiens’ power play, converting 28% of its chances (7 of 25).
In Game 6, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posted a shutout while Dahlin tallied five points and Thompson added four.

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