NHL Playoffs: Montreal Canadiens Record in Game 7s

With a spot in the Eastern Conference final up for grabs, the Montreal Canadiens play the Buffalo Sabres in their second consecutive Game 7.

In Game 6, the Canadiens lost a potential series-clinching game at home when leading by at least two goals for the first time. They’ll have to rebound quickly and win a second straight Game 7 on the road if they are to advance and face the Carolina Hurricanes. 

In their storied history, the Canadiens have played in 25 Game 7s. So, how have they fared, and when was the last time the Sabres squared off in a Game 7?

Montreal Canadiens All-Time Record in Game 7

According to the hockey odds at the BetMGM sportsbook, the Canadiens are the marginal underdog in Monday’s pressure cooker at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. 

The Canadiens won’t mind that classification for various reasons: The franchise is 16-9 in Game 7s all-time, including an 8-6 record in enemy environments. 

While that impressive record doesn’t directly impact Martin St. Louis and Co., they’ll take confidence from winning Game 7 in the first round against the Lightning in Tampa despite being thoroughly outplayed. 

Winning a decisive game in a hostile environment with just nine shots on goal is no easy feat. While the Habs won’t want to repeat that performance, they will feel good about bending severely without breaking.

There’s also the fact that the Canadiens’ odds to win the Stanley Cup are shorter despite being Monday’s Game 7 underdog.

And then there’s Montreal’s fearsome road record to consider. 

Canadiens’ Impressive Road Record 

Playing on the road in Game 7 is usually seen as a notable disadvantage, but not this time. 

The Canadiens boast a 5-2 playoff road record, winning three of four against the Lightning at Benchmark Arena and two of three at KeyBank Center. 

Game 5 in Buffalo wasn’t close, with the Canadiens outscoring the Sabres 4-0 in the second and third period and winning 6-3.  

Of the remaining teams, only the Colorado Avalanche have a more efficient road power play (33.3%). The Canadiens are 7-for-22 on the road with the man advantage, including 3-for-9 at KeyBank Center. 

Sabres’ Miserable Home Record 

The Sabres won’t admit it, but they’d probably prefer to play at Bell Centre. Lindy Ruff’s team is 2-4 at home in the playoffs and 5-1 on the road. 

Of the remaining teams, only the Canadiens have a worse home penalty kill, with the Sabres running at a 75% clip. 

If they don’t get off to a smooth start, players will likely feel the pressure that comes with a first Game 7 on home ice since the second round of the 2001 playoffs, when they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

A raucous, excited crowd can quickly turn nervous, tense, or even restless. 

What Is the Buffalo Sabres’ Record in Game 7?

The Sabres are 1-6 all-time in Game 7 and 1-1 at home.

Last Time the Sabres Played a Game 7

The Sabres’ previous Game 7 came in Philadelphia against the Flyers in the first round of the 2011 playoffs, which they lost 5-2. 

They last played a home Game 7 in the second round of the 2001 playoffs, losing 3-2 in overtime to the Pens.