Montreal advances to its first Eastern Conference Final since 2014 with a 3-2 overtime Game 7 win at KeyBank Center. Alex Newhook scored the OT winner at 11:22 of the extra session; his second OT game-winner of these playoffs after closing Round 1 vs Tampa. Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc also scored for Montreal; Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin (game-tying goal late in 3rd) scored for Buffalo. Sabres' first 2nd-round appearance since 2007 ends one win short; major season nonetheless after snapping a 14-year playoff drought and beating Boston in Round 1. The Eastern Conference Final is an Original Six matchup: Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens. All four conference finals matchups are now locked: NHL East CAR-MTL, NHL West COL-VGK, NBA East NYK-CLE (G1 tonight 5/19 at MSG), NBA West OKC-SAS. Cup futures: Carolina holds top at +135; Montreal climbs to +1100.
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