Buffalo Blew a 2-0 Lead, Then Alex Newhook Struck At 11:22 in OT to Set The Stanley Cup 'Final Four'

Alright, hockey fans, buckle up because the Stanley Cup 'Final Four' is officially locked in, and WOW, did we get some drama to get there! The Montreal Canadiens just punched their ticket after an absolute HEART-STOPPER of a Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres, winning 3-2 in overtime on Monday night. This whole playoff picture is getting spicy, and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way.

Game 7 Went Absolutely Bonkers, Then Newhook Did THAT

If you thought this series was done after two straight blowouts, you were dead wrong! The first period looked like it might follow that trend, with Phillip Danault getting Montreal on the board first, then Zack Bolduc doubling down to give the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead going into intermission. You're thinking, "Okay, Habs got this, right?" WRONG! Jordan Greenway got Buffalo back within one, with the puck deflecting off his equipment, and suddenly the Sabres were swarming, putting the Canadiens on their heels for the rest of regulation. Then, BAM, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin found the equalizer at 6:27 in the third period! It was 2-2, and T-Mobile Park couldn't have been louder if it was a M's walk-off! Both goalies, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Jakub Dobes, were brick walls for the next 13 minutes plus of regulation, and even through the first 11:21 of overtime. It felt like it could go on forever, right? But then, at 11:22 in OT, Alex Newhook, the guy who's done this before in a Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, did it again. He buried one past UPL, and just like that, the Canadiens were moving on to Round 2. What a freaking game!

Your Stanley Cup Final Four Is LOCKED: Get Ready!

So after all that madness, the picture is finally complete for the Stanley Cup 'final four'. The Carolina Hurricanes had been chilling for nine days after earning their spot, and now they know their opponent: those very same Montreal Canadiens. That Eastern Conference Finals showdown kicks off Thursday night. Meanwhile, out West, the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights are set to throw down in their own Western Conference Finals, with Game 1 hitting the ice Wednesday on ESPN. The schedule is officially out there, and you know there's gonna be a ton of crazy analysis dropping soon. Right now, the Avalanche and the Hurricanes are the favorites to take it all, but after that Game 7, who really knows?! Wednesday and Thursday cannot get here fast enough! We're talking about the best of the best, battling for a shot at the freakin' Stanley Cup. Every single shift matters from here on out. Get ready for some wild hockey, because this is what it's all about!

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