Montreal Canadiens eliminate Lightning in Game 7 thriller, advance to second round

“I’m so proud of my boys,” said one Montreal Canadiens fan after the team eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 to punch their ticket to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Adriana Gentile reports.

By News Staff

Posted May 3, 2026 5:49 pm.

Last Updated May 3, 2026 11:23 pm.

The Montreal Canadiens are moving on.

In a series defined by razor-thin margins, unlikely heroes, and relentless pressure, the Canadiens delivered one of their grittiest performances of the season Sunday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 at Benchmark International Arena to advance to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Newhook delivers defining moment, Dobeš anchors the win

Alex Newhook scored the biggest goal of his postseason at 11:07 of the third period, batting a bouncing puck out of mid-air and in off Andrei Vasilevskiy to break a 1-1 tie. Behind him, rookie goaltender Jakub Dobeš turned aside 28 of 29 shots, steady under constant pressure as Montreal secured the series 4-3.

The numbers told a remarkable story. The Canadiens registered just nine shots on goal — the fewest ever in a playoff win since shots began being tracked — yet found a way to outlast a veteran Lightning team that controlled long stretches of the game.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough.

ALEX NEWHOOK GIVES THE HABS THE LEAD IN THE THIRD PERIOD OF GAME 7!!! pic.twitter.com/LOu6oDm3Bg
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 4, 2026

Suzuki opens scoring in tight start

Montreal struck first late in the opening period when captain Nick Suzuki redirected a point shot from Kaiden Guhle with 1:21 remaining. The puck changed direction twice — first off Suzuki, then off a Tampa Bay defender — before slipping past Vasilevskiy.

It was Suzuki’s first goal of the series, and a crucial one in a game where chances were limited.

Tampa Bay responded in the second period on the power play. After Guhle was called for holding, Charle-Edouard D’Astous fired from the blue line and Dominic James tipped the puck past Dobeš to tie the game 1-1.

NICK SUZUKI!!!

THE HABS TAKE THE FIRST LEAD OF GAME 7 ???? pic.twitter.com/dCcc0xh3IT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 3, 2026

A second period to survive

The second period belonged entirely to Tampa Bay.

Montreal failed to register a single shot on goal — the first time in franchise history that has happened in a playoff period — and were outshot 21-4 through 40 minutes. At one point, the Canadiens went 26 minutes and 57 seconds without recording a shot.

Despite the imbalance, the game remained tied thanks to Dobeš, who stood firm and gave his team a chance to respond in the third.

Not an ideal third period shot count ???? pic.twitter.com/krDYhYaoUd
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 4, 2026

One chance makes the difference

That response came on Montreal’s fifth shot of the game.

After Vasilevskiy made a blocker save on a Guhle attempt, the puck bounced off the end boards and into the air. Newhook tracked it and knocked it in off the goaltender to restore the Canadiens’ lead.

Tampa Bay pushed late with the net empty. Branden Hagel made a key defensive play to deny Juraj Slafkovský on an empty-net opportunity, keeping it a one-goal game until the final seconds.

But the equalizer never came.

A series decided by inches

This matchup was as close as it gets.

All seven games were decided by one goal, with four going to overtime. Both teams entered the playoffs with identical 106-point seasons, and neither side was able to pull away at any point in the series.

Montreal had a chance to close it out in Game 6 but fell 1-0 in overtime at the Bell Centre, setting up the decisive Game 7.

In the end, one bounce — and one finish — proved to be the difference.

A milestone in the rebuild

The win marks the Canadiens’ first playoff series victory since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

It is also a significant step forward in a rebuild that began just a few seasons ago. From near the bottom of the standings to the NHL’s final eight, Montreal’s young core continues to take shape.

Contributions came from across the roster throughout the series, from Juraj Slafkovský’s hat trick in Game 1 to key defensive minutes from Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier, and Lane Hutson.

Dobeš emerged as a difference-maker in goal, finishing the series with a 2.03 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

Bell Centre watch party captures the moment

While the Canadiens battled on the road, the atmosphere in Montreal matched the intensity.

Thousands of fans filled the Bell Centre for a Game 7 watch party, turning it into a roaring hub of support. Every save and scoring chance drew a unified reaction, creating a playoff environment that mirrored the action in Tampa.

When the final horn sounded, the emotion inside the building was immediate.

“Amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing,” said one fan. “They deserve it, and they’re going to do amazing.”

Another pointed to both the quality of the series and the atmosphere inside the arena.

“Amazing. Honestly it was a very good environment and this was a very good series. And good luck to the Habs,” he said. “Once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s the first time that we’re here for Game 7 and it’s bomb. Very good. A1.”

A third fan highlighted how evenly matched the teams were.

“I’m feeling really good. It was an awesome game. Great job by the Canadiens. It could have went either way to be honest — they have the best goalie in the league and it could have gone either way, two great coaches, so yeah it was awesome.”

Others echoed the excitement throughout the arena.

“Amazing. Been waiting five years for that. Can’t be happier,” said one fan.

“Feeling very well,” added another.

One woman described both the game and the atmosphere.

“Super excited. It was an awesome atmosphere and an awesome game, despite very few shots on net.”

Speaking about the watch party, she added: “Amazing. I’m so glad to do it. It’s an affordable experience. It was really, really fun.”

Another fan reflected on the game’s momentum swings. “It was a great game. You know, it was just awesome. Second period went a little slow. We were a little bit frightened when Tampa scored, but that Alex Newhook goal, unbelievable. Just unbelievable.”

For some, the night carried personal meaning.

“It’s my birthday, so it’s good! Win for my birthday!” one fan said.

“I’m just feeling blessed. I’m so proud of my boys,” said another, before adding, “Suzuki came through! Dobeš! He’s a beast! He’s a beast!”

Confidence in the team’s future was evident as well.

“I’m feeling like we’re gonna win this Stanley Cup. I lost my voice. The energy is incredible. And I tell you, it is absolutely amazing,” one fan said.

“I’m feeling amazing! Go, Habs go,” another added.

One woman reflected on her long connection to the team.

“I feel very overwhelmed right now because I’ve been watching since I was a kid with my brother and my dad… and of course in 2021 it didn’t go the way we wanted to, so hopefully this time we have a good shot at it.”

Younger fans shared in the moment as well.

“I was so freaking happy. It made me so happy… The Habs won and they’re making it to the second round,” said one young boy.

“We won. And my dad said if we won he can buy everything. The one thing I want,” another added with a smile.