Overview
- Montreal advanced Monday on Alex Newhook’s overtime goal in a 3-2 Game 7 win at Buffalo, backed by Jakub Dobeš’s 37 saves.
- Carolina returns from an 11‑day break to host Game 1 on Thursday night in Raleigh.
- Major sportsbooks price the series toward Carolina, with futures odds roughly in the -250 to -285 range.
- Goaltending looms large as Frederik Andersen leads the playoffs in goals‑against average and save percentage, while rookie Dobeš has two Game 7 wins, matching Ken Dryden’s feat.
- Out West, Colorado faces Vegas beginning Wednesday, with the Golden Knights’ Mitch Marner leading all playoff scorers at 18 points.