Canadiens Win Game 7 With Only 9 Shots and Montreal's Still Moving Forward

Montreal just pulled off something that shouldn't be possible in playoff hockey. The Canadiens beat Tampa Bay in Game 7 despite generating only 9 shots on net. That's not a typo. Nine. Shots. In a win-or-go-home Game 7. And they still advanced.

This is the kind of hockey that makes you scratch your head and then immediately respect the efficiency. When you're playing for your season in Game 7, you don't have the luxury of pretty hockey or racking up 30+ shots. You need clutch moments, solid goaltending, and the right bounces. Montreal got all three.

Dobes Stands Tall When It Matters Most

Goalie Dobes came through in the biggest moment of the series. With Montreal unable to generate much offense, every save mattered exponentially more. The Lightning had plenty of chances, but Dobes locked it down when it counted. That's playoff hockey at its finest: one goalie deciding a series with stone-cold execution.

The Goals That Sent Montreal Through

Guhle and Suzuki got the scoring started early, setting the tone for what would become Montreal's path forward. Then D'Astous set up James for a power-play goal that gave the Canadiens breathing room. Three goals on nine shots speaks to Montreal's ability to capitalize on opportunities when they had them. This wasn't about dominating play. It was about taking what the Lightning gave them and finishing.

The Canadiens move into the East 2nd Round where they'll face Buffalo. That's what surviving Game 7 gets you: another series, another mountain to climb. But that's also the beauty of the playoffs. One win, even one that looks weird on the stat sheet with only 9 shots, and your season continues.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.