Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Evans (71) celebrates with teammates Kirby Dach (77) and Patrik Laine (92) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens meet tonight at KeyBank Center for a winner‑take‑all Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Second Round. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, SN, CBC, and TVAS. Buffalo earned the right to bring the series home after an 8‑3 win in Game 6 at Bell Centre, a performance that erased a 3‑2 series deficit and reset everything for one final showdown.
Tage Thompson will skate in his first career Game 7, and he made it clear how much the moment means. He said the group expected a long series and embraced the challenge. He added that every player in the room would have signed up for this opportunity back in September. For Buffalo, the message is simple: one game, one chance, and one shift at a time.
Buffalo’s Game 7 History And What It Means Tonight
The Sabres have played seven Game 7s in franchise history, with their lone win coming in overtime against Ottawa in the 1997 Conference Quarterfinals. Tanner Pearson, Ryan McLeod, and Alex Tuch have the most Game 7 experience among Buffalo skaters. Pearson and Tuch are the only Sabres with a Game 7 goal. Neither Alex Lyon nor Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen has played in a Game 7, while coach Lindy Ruff enters with a 1‑4 record in the situation.
Thompson said the key is to repeat the Game 6 formula: simplify, avoid risky plays, and compete on every shift. He noted that players sometimes try to do too much in big moments, but the answer is usually the opposite. Buffalo found success by keeping the game direct and disciplined, and that approach carries into tonight.
Montreal Brings Road Game 7 Confidence
Montreal enters with a deep history in winner‑take‑all games. The Canadiens are 16‑9 in Game 7 and 8‑6 on the road. They already won a Game 7 this postseason, beating Tampa Bay 2‑1 in the first round behind 28 saves from Jakub Dobes. The Canadiens have won their past three road Game 7s and six of their past seven winner‑take‑all games away from home.
Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danault each have three Game 7 appearances. Gallagher has produced one goal and two assists in those games. Nick Suzuki and Alex Newhook both scored in the first‑round Game 7 win over Tampa Bay. Suzuki said the team’s resilience and recent experience in this exact situation give them confidence heading into Buffalo.
What Awaits The Winner
The winner advances to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. Carolina swept Philadelphia and enters the next round at 8‑0 in the postseason. The Hurricanes are rested, rolling, and waiting for whichever team survives tonight’s pressure‑packed finish.
For Buffalo and Montreal, everything comes down to one night. One game to extend the season. One game to earn a shot at Carolina. One game to define the series.
