Canadiens Set Questionable Records in Series Win Over Lightning – Hockey Writers –

The Montreal Canadiens got a bunch of “firsts” out of the way on Sunday, as they beat the rival Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 of their first-round series on Sunday. They will likely put on the table the fact that they recorded the first shutout in Habs franchise history, when they went 12-0 in the second half, however.

Canadiens Post Record-Nine Shots in Win

The Canadiens will probably focus on how this was the first series win for this particular team, the smallest team in the league on opening night and in the current postseason, and get their first Game 7 victory along the way. However, more importantly, at least historically, is that, in registering just nine shots on goal, they became the first team in league history to win a playoff game with fewer than 10.

Canadiens set Stanley Cup Playoffs record for fewest shots in 9 wins#GoHabsGo

– Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 4, 2026

While Canadiens forward Alex Newhook stepped up to dramatically break a 1-1 third-period tie with a go-ahead goal and the game-winning goal, rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes was the difference, outplaying Vezina Trophy candidate Andrei Vasilevskiy in the game (and the series). Dobes made 28 saves to become the fifth goalie in team history to win a Game 7 (Patrick Roy, Carey Price) and just the third to do so on the road (Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden).

Canadiens Overcome Obstacles to Snap Winning Streak

In this series, compared to Vasilevskiy’s .897 save percentage, Dobes has an impressive .923, but, despite making it look easy, nothing seems to come easy for the Canadiens. Between the Habs’ second bad streak since the start of the regular season almost came back to haunt them, forward Juraj Slafkovsky’s inability to score an empty net insurance goal near the backcourt and defenseman Mike Matheson’s delay-of-game penalty with seconds left on the clock, the Habs cut this one closer than anyone would have decided in seven games.

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki opened the scoring in the first by tapping in Kaiden Guhle’s point shot past Lightning driver JJ Moser. In the aforementioned bad second, Guhle added to his team’s problems, when he was called upon to hold Bolts star Jake Guentzel. Rookie Dominic James tied things up with a one-on-one goal on the ensuing power play, setting up Newhook’s heroics in the third, with Dobes’ heroics shining above all else.

With the win, the Habs advance to face the Atlantic Division champion Buffalo Sabers (in the regular season). That second-round series begins Wednesday in Buffalo.