Newhook Batted It in Off the Glass and the Canadiens Just Ended Tampa's Season in Game 7

The Montreal Canadiens are moving on. They just beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in a Game 7 thriller, with forward Newhook delivering the series winner by batting it in off the glass in the third period. The Lightning came up short despite a valiant effort, and now Montreal advances while Tampa's season is over.

The Goal That Ended It All

Newhook's highlight-reel moment, executed with a midair backhand and a bat into the glass, proved to be the difference maker. It's the kind of goal that shows up in playoff reels for years, a play that took skill, timing, and just the right amount of luck bouncing your way. The Canadiens found a way to break through in the third, and once that puck went in, you could feel the weight shift in the building.

Montreal's Unlikely Path

Here's what makes this even wilder: the Canadiens managed to win Game 7 while generating only 9 shots the entire game. That's playoff hockey at its most brutal and beautiful at the same time. They didn't dominate possession, didn't pepper the goalie, didn't control the pace the way you normally expect a winner to. They just found ways to score when it mattered and shut the door when they had to.

The Lightning put up a fight all series long, but couldn't find enough in the tank when it counted most. D'Astous set up James for a power play goal earlier in the contest, and Guhle and Suzuki combined to get the Canadiens on the board first. It was enough.

Next Up for Montreal

The Canadiens are heading to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Lightning's 2026 postseason run comes to an end in the first round, a tough pill to swallow after pushing this series all the way to Game 7.

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