Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previews, stats, schedule, bracketESPN staffMay 19, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple Authors
tamil yogi
Nine days after the Carolina Hurricanes earned their spot in the Eastern Conference finals, they finally found out their opponent, as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime in Game 7.
Those two teams will square off beginning on Thursday for one spot in the Stanley Cup Final. The other will be determined by the Western Conference finals matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, which begins Wednesday on ESPN.
We officially have the schedule for the next round, and there will be an incredible array of preview content coming soon. For now, here’s a look back at how the Canadiens got the job done in Game 7, along with updated stats and the current Stanley Cup playoff bracket.
Read more:
Full schedule
Playoff Central
Stanley Cup odds
Offseason guide for eliminated teams
Monday’s scoreboard
Montreal Canadiens 3, Buffalo Sabres 2 (OT)
Canadiens win 4-3
After two straight blowouts, this game did not stay on trend — although the first period appeared as though it could head that direction. Phillip Danault got the Canadiens on the board first, and Zack Bolduc scored later on in the frame to give the visitors a 2-0 lead at the intermission.
However, Jordan Greenway got the Sabres within one on a goal that deflected in off his equipment, and the Sabres had the Habs on their heels for the rest of regulation. That included a third-period goal by captain Rasmus Dahlin that tied the score 2-2 at 6:27 of the third.
But despite a number of high-level scoring chances for both clubs, no one could solve Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen or Jakub Dobes for the final 13 minutes-plus of regulation, or the first 11:21 of OT. But at 11:22, Alex Newhook — the hero of Montreal’s earlier Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning — finally got one past UPL, sending the Habs on to Round 2. Here’s what the Sabres do to get better for 2026-27. Full recap.
Playoff scoring leaders
PlayerGPGAP1. Mitch Marner, F, Golden Knights
Click here for full list of stats leaders.
Playoff goaltending leaders
PlayerGPWGAASV%1. Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes
Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.
Stanley Cup playoff bracket
ESPN
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