For the first time since their magical 2021 Stanley Cup Final run, which seems forever ago, the Montreal Canadiens are moving on to the second round of the playoffs — and have done it in the most dramatic way possible.
On a nerve-shredding Sunday night, Montreal stunned the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7, silencing Tampa’s home crowd and sending shockwaves through Quebec and especially at the Bell Centre watch party, as the Habs officially eliminated one of the NHL’s modern-day powerhouses in a seven-game Atlantic Division war for the ages.
After seven razor-thin games — every single one decided by just one goal — this series felt destined for a chaotic finish. And that chaos arrived midway through the third period.
With the game tied 1-1 and the season hanging in the balance, Alex Newhook became an instant Canadiens playoff legend. Chasing a loose puck behind the Tampa net, Newhook was lightning fast to capitalize on a wild bounce off the boards and batted it in off the shoulder of a scrambling Andrei Vasilevskiy for the series-winning goal — a greasy, gritty, unforgettable playoff dagger that Canadiens fans will be replaying for years.
Watch the game-winning goal:
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t textbook. It was perfect. A road hockey-like mastery that had Habs fans shrieking across the province, and country for that matter. The Canadiens are Canada’s only hope of winning the coveted trophy this season, now that the Oilers and Sens are packing up their lockers.
Dobes outstanding — How it all played out
Captain Nick Suzuki had opened the scoring in the first period, giving Montreal an early jolt, before Tampa clawed back on a second-period power play. But despite being heavily outshot (29-9) and surviving long stretches of Lightning pressure, the Canadiens found a way — as they have so many times this season.
Rookie netminder Jakub Dobes delivered one of the biggest performances of his young career, standing tall under siege and helping Montreal complete the upset. He had to, as Montreal was only able to muster a paltry nine shots on goal, marking the fewest ever in an NHL postseason win. But hey, a win’s a win!
For a young Canadiens squad that many believed was still a year or two away, this victory marks a major coming-of-age moment. Martin St. Louis’ group showed resilience, discipline, and just enough playoff magic to take down a battle-tested Tampa Bay team that refused to go quietly.
And now? The road only gets tougher.
Montreal moves on to face the speedy Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Second Round after Buffalo dispatched the Boston Bruins in six games, clinching the series with a 4-1 win and earning their first playoff series victory since 2007.
For Canadiens fans, this matchup offers both excitement and opportunity. Buffalo may have won the division, but Montreal has already proven it fears no Atlantic heavyweight. The Sabres bring speed, firepower, confidence, and a certain Tage Thompson, but the Canadiens now carry momentum, belief, and perhaps most importantly, the kind of underdog swagger that can become dangerous in May.
When do the Canadiens play next?
The NHL’s official second-round schedule just came out, with Buffalo holding the higher seed, hosting Games 1 on Wednesday night with Game 2 going on Friday. The series shifts back home to Montreal for games 3 and 4, Sunday and Tuesday, respectively.
Where can Montreal fans watch?
Beyond scoring Bell Centre tickets, Montreal fans have no shortage of electric places to soak up the second-round atmosphere.
The Bell Centre itself has become playoff central even on away nights, with official watch parties drawing thousands, while the Canadiens’ “Watch Party – Street Edition” on Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal has also been a major gathering point for home playoff games. Recent Game 7 events packed the building and surrounding plaza, proving downtown is the heartbeat of Habs fever right now.
Top Montreal spots to watch the Canadiens vs. Sabres beyond the Bell Centre:
- La Cage — Right beside the Bell Centre, this is one of the city’s classic pregame and watch-party hubs, with fans spilling into the playoff energy around Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.
- McLean’s Pub — A downtown staple on Peel Street and an easy choice for fans who want a packed hockey-night pub atmosphere near the arena.
- Peel Pub – Sports Bar/Bar Sportif (Now Reopened) — Another downtown standby steps from the Bell Centre action, known for drawing big game-night crowds.
- Chez Serge — For fans looking for a louder, high-energy sports-bar vibe on the Plateau side of Saint-Laurent.
- Time Out Market Montréal’s Habs Fan TV watch parties have also become a major downtown option this playoff season, adding hosted fan events and big-screen energy.
For the full Montreal playoff experience:
If you want pure chaos and chants, stay around the Bell Centre district — Avenue des Canadiens, nearby bars, and official plaza events are where the city’s biggest crowds gather. For a slightly less packed but still passionate experience, downtown sports bars like Peel Street hotspots or Saint-Laurent venues offer plenty of atmosphere.
Looking ahead:
As mentioned, because Buffalo holds home-ice advantage, Games 1 and 2 are expected in Buffalo, meaning Montreal’s first true home crowd moments should come when the series shifts back for Games 3 and 4 at the Bell Centre later this week (pending official NHL scheduling). Until then, watch parties across Montreal are expected to be packed.
One thing is certain: whether you’re inside the Bell Centre, on the street outside, or in a roaring sports bar, Montreal is about to become one giant playoff party again.
Canadiens TV Coverage
In Montreal and across Quebec, fans can expect full coverage on:
- CBC
- Sportsnet
- TVA Sports
Check local listings once the official schedule drops.
If this first-round thriller proved anything, it’s that this spring’s Canadiens are giving their fans something they’ve craved: meaningful playoff hockey, heart-stopping drama, and the belief that maybe — just maybe — something special is brewing.
The Bell Centre is about to get even louder.
The Lightning are gone.
The Sabres are next.
And the Canadiens are still writing their story.
lead image via @canadiensmtl
