The last conference semifinals in the National Hockey League (NHL) ended last night. The Montreal Canadiens secured their place among the last four remaining teams in a real nailbiter.
Previously, the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights already had their tickets for the Conference Finals in their pockets. On the night from yesterday to today, Game 7 between the Buffalo Sabers and the Montreal Canadiens was on the agenda. The Canadians squandered a 2-0 lead but ultimately skated off the ice as winners. Buffalo won 3-2 after extra time. The decisive goal was scored by Alex Newhook, who already has seven goals in the current playoffs.
Alex Newhook
First player in Canadiens history to score a Game 7 overtime goal on the road#GoHabsGo
pic.twitter.com/qZ8VfIMyZp— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats)
May 19, 2026
Young and carefree
The Canadiens are the youngest team in the last 33 years to advance to the Round of 4. Thanks to reasonably balanced scoring and goalkeeper Jakub Dobes, who continues to shine with strong performances, the most successful franchise in NHL history is back in the conference finals for the first time since 2021.
There you will now have to deal with none other than the Carolina Hurricanes. The team from Raleigh has not lost a single game so far and has been in excellent form. But by the first game of the playoff semifinals, the Hurricanes will have had a break of no less than twelve days – an absolute NHL record. The season’s balance speaks in favor of the Canadians, who won all three matches.
In the other duel, the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights face each other – the Stanley Cup Champs from 2022 and 2023. The “season series” went to Colorado, who won two of three games.
The third playoff round starts on the night of Wednesday to Thursday with Game 1 between Colorado and Vegas, and a day later Carolina and Montreal play their first game. Both matches start at 02:00 CET.
Image: facebook.com/canadiensmtl
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