The Montreal Canadiens are in the driver’s seat through the first period in Game 7 on Monday, as they lead the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 at the KeyBank Center.
The goals have come fast and furious in this series, with the game’s first goal recorded within the first 6:30 of every game thus far. The trend continued on Monday.
Only 4:30 from puck drop, a shot from Montreal defenceman Kaiden Guhle deflected off Phillip Danault’s skate and past Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, giving the Canadiens the early 1-0 lead.
Both Luukkonen and Jakub Dobes traded athletic stops until there were under eight minutes remaining in the frame, before a Zach Benson delay of game penalty sent Montreal to the power play.
It took nearly the whole advantage before a backhanded feed from Nick Suzuki found Zachary Bolduc for the one-timer goal, giving the Canadiens the 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The winner of Monday’s Game 7 will move on to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals.
