Recap of Stanley Cup Playoffs from 18 May 2026

Alex Newhook scored the overtime winner to send the Canadiens to the 2026 Eastern Conference Final – the youngest team to advance to the final four in 33 years. Newhook became the second player in NHL history to score multiple Game 7 series-clinching goals in a single postseason.

* The Canadiens secured an Eastern Conference Final berth against the Hurricanes, a matchup which will mark the eighth head-to-head playoff series between the clubs and first in exactly 20 years. The series will begin Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (TNT, Sportsnet, TVA Sports).

* The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs became the third in NHL history to feature the first 12 series each require at least one overtime game. The others: 2013 and 2001.

* Only four teams remain in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Conference Finals starts in the West on Wednesday when the Avalanche and Golden Knights play Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

NEWHOOK SCORES OVERTIME WINNER TO SEND CANADIENS TO CONFERENCE FINALS

Alex Newhook was the Game 7 hero for the second round in a row as he scored the overtime winner to send Montreal to the 2026 Eastern Conference Final, a performance that came after Buffalo erased a 2-0 deficit to force extra time. Newhook became just the second player in NHL history to score multiple Game 7 series-clinching goals in a postseason as the Canadiens advanced to the round before the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2021. Montreal earned its fourth Conference Finals/Semifinals appearance since 2010 (also 2021, 2014 & 2010) – only two teams have more over that span: the Lightning (7) and Rangers (5).

* Newhook became the fourth player in franchise history to score an overtime goal in a Game 7, joining Russ Courtnall (1992 DSF), Claude Lemieux (1986 DF) and Yvon Lambert (1979 SF). He also became the sixth player in Canadiens history to score multiple series-clinching goals in a single postseason, following Max Pacioretty (2014 R1 & R2), Kirk Muller (1993 DF & SCF), Bobby Smith (1986 CF & SCF), Toe Blake (1946 SF & SCF) and Howie Morenz (1930 QF, SCF & 1924 NHLF, SCF).

* Newhook finished the Second Round with 6-1—7 after posting consecutive multi-goal outings in Game 2 and 3 as well as finding the back of the net in four of seven contests. His six goals are the second most by a Canadiens skater in a single series over the past 30 years – the only player with more over that span: Michael Cammalleri (7 in 2010 CSF).

* Montreal overtook Boston (16) for the most Game 7 wins in Stanley Cup Playoffs history and extended its own benchmark for Game 7 road victories (9-6 in 15 GP).

* The Canadiens improved to 6-0 following a loss this postseason, which is the most among all clubs. Only two teams in NHL history have more consecutive wins following a loss in a single playoff year: New Jersey (8-0 in 1988) and Tampa Bay (7-0 in 2021, 2020 & 2004).

* Click here for more notes on Montreal’s advance and here for more #NHLStats from Monday’s Live Updates.
CANADIENS SET TO MEET HURRICANES IN 2026 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

The Canadiens set up a 2026 Eastern Conference Final against the Hurricanes and finalized the Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket. Click here for full details on the Conference Finals schedule.

* The Canadiens and Hurricanes will meet for the eighth head-to-head playoff series and first since a six-game victory by Carolina in the 2006 Conference Quarterfinals en route to winning the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes are 2-0 in two postseason rounds against the Canadiens since relocating to Raleigh (also 2002 CSF), but Montreal went 5-0 in five versus the Hartford Whalers (1992 DSF, 1989 DSF, 1988 DSF, 1986 DF & 1980 PRLM).

* The Canadiens went 3-0-0 in three games against the Hurricanes during the regular season and were the only Eastern Conference team without a loss of any kind versus Carolina. The Canadiens swept their season series against the Hurricanes/Whalers for the third time in franchise history (also 2014-15 & 2012-13).