The Montreal Canadiens, the youngest team in the playoffs, eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in a thrilling Game 7 on May 3, 2026. The game took place in Tampa, Florida, where the Canadiens secured a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 29-9.
Nick Suzuki opened the scoring for Montreal early in the game. The Lightning responded with a goal from Brandon Hagel, tying the game at 1-1. The decisive moment came at 11:07 of the third period when Alex Newhook scored the winning goal.
Jakub Dobeš delivered an impressive performance, making 28 saves throughout the match. His efforts were crucial in maintaining the Canadiens’ lead.
This series was tightly contested. All seven games were decided by one goal, and four games went into overtime. The Canadiens’ victory marks their first advancement to the second round in five years.
The Lightning have faced challenges in recent seasons. They have now lost in the first round for four consecutive years.
Nick Suzuki reflected on the team’s journey: “A lot of guys left and we started this rebuild and slowly but surely we drafted some really good players and found an amazing coach.” His leadership has been instrumental in guiding this young team.
Brandon Hagel stated after the game, “You can’t say much about the game tonight; you’re going to win 99 percent of those games.” His comments highlight the competitive nature of this playoff series.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens will face off against the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Their performance against Tampa sets a promising tone for their upcoming matches.
