Canadiens complete remarkable playoff upset over Lightning after tense Game 7

Montreal Canadiens booked their place in the second round of the NHL playoffs after edging the Tampa Bay Lightning in a dramatic Game 7 victory on Sunday night.

The Canadiens won a tightly contested series that saw all seven games decided by a single goal.

Montreal secured the deciding game despite managing only nine shots on goal and none during the second period.

“We got a bounce with (Alex Newhook),” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said after the match.

Captain Nick Suzuki scored the opening goal late in the first period and praised the team’s rapid progress following years of rebuilding.

“It’s definitely been probably faster than most people expected, but when you get a lot of great players together in a great system, great leadership, things can turn quickly,” Suzuki said according to Sportsnet.

Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes was one of the standout performers throughout the series. The 24-year-old stopped 181 of 196 shots across the seven games and delivered several key saves in the decider.

Montreal will now face the resurgent Buffalo Sabres in the second round after completing one of the closest playoff series in recent NHL history.