Canadiens Reach Eastern Final on 3-2 Game 7 OT Win, Setting Hurricanes Clash
Updated
Updated · NHL.com · May 19
Canadiens Reach Eastern Final on 3-2 Game 7 OT Win, Setting Hurricanes Clash
21 articles · Updated · NHL.com · May 19
Montreal clinched the final Eastern Conference berth with a 3-2 overtime win over Buffalo in Game 7 on Monday, completing the matchup with Carolina.
Alex Newhook scored at 11:22 of overtime for his second straight Game 7 winner, while goalie Jakub Dobes made 37 saves to send the Canadiens through.
Carolina had already advanced on May 9, beating Philadelphia 3-2 in overtime in Game 4 to reach the Eastern final for the second straight season and third time in four years.
The conference final now pits a Hurricanes team with recent deep-playoff experience against a Canadiens club that survived a seven-game second-round series after Buffalo forced the decider with an 8-3 Game 6 win.
Can Buffalo overcome its home-ice curse against a team historically dominant in road Game 7s?
Whose psychological gamble will pay off: Lindy Ruff's hotel tactic or Martin St. Louis's 'bounce forward' mantra?