There was only one Game 7 in the first round of this year’s NHL playoffs, and the Montreal Canadiens were able to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Sunday at Benchmark International Arena.
The Canadiens win the first-round, best-of-seven series 4-3.
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) attempts to knock the loose puck as Montreal Canadiens centre Alex Newhook (15) is able to slip the puck past Vasilevskiy for the go-ahead third-period goal in Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Dirk Shadd / Tampa Bay TimesTampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) watches play in the final minutes of the third period against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Dirk Shadd / Tampa Bay Times
After being dominated for much of the game where they were outshot 29-9 in the end, the Habs weathered the storm and took a third period lead off a bank shot by Alex Newhook. 2-1 Canadiens
Tampa Bay Lightning centre Dominic James (17) celebrates after his goal against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) in the second period during Game 7 in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Luis Santana / Tampa Bay Times
Dominic James tied the game for the Lightning with a power play goal with 6:33 remaining in the period. Tied 1-1
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) reaches for the puck as Canadiens defenceman Jayden Struble (47) knocks Tampa Bay Lightning centre Dominic James (17) during the first period in Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Dirk Shadd / Tampa Bay Times Dirk Shadd / Tampa Bay TimesMontreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield (13) along with Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Darren Raddysh (43) and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) watch as the puck dribbles past the net in the crease during the first period of Game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Dirk Shadd / Tampa Bay Times Dirk Shadd / Tampa Bay Times
Nick Suzuki scored his first goal of the postseason with 1:21 left in the first period. His deflection hit J.J. Moser on the way to the back of the net. 1-0 Canadiens
— x – Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 3, 2026
Canadiens netminder Jakub Dobes continued to stymie the Lightning forwards. He made a big save on Game 6 hero Gage Goncalves, one of nine in total in the first.
Fans enter Benchmark International Arena ahead of Game 7 of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Luis Santana / Tampa Bay Times Luis Santana / Tampa Bay TimesFans enter Benchmark International Arena ahead of Game 7 of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, May 3, 2026 in Tampa. Luis Santana / Tampa Bay Times Luis Santana / Tampa Bay Times