Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki handles the puck against the Lightning during Game 7 of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday. | Imagn Images / via Reuters

Alex Newhook broke a third-period tie with the game-winning goal to give the visiting Montreal Canadiens a 2-1 Game 7 victory over the Tampa Bay ⁠Lightning on Sunday.

Nick Suzuki also scored for the Canadiens, who were outshot 29-9 and outplayed for much of the deciding game, but now face the Buffalo Sabres, who finished atop the Atlantic Division, in a best-of-seven second-round series that begins Wednesday in Buffalo.

The Canadiens set a Stanley Cup playoff record for fewest shots on goal in a win, per Sportsnet.

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