Montréal and Buffalo Play Game 7 for Eastern Conference Spot
The Canadiens and Sabres face off tonight with a playoff berth on the line, with the winner advancing to face the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes.
Montréal and Buffalo are playing winner-take-all hockey tonight in a Game 7 that will send one team to the Eastern Conference Finals against an undefeated Carolina Hurricanes squad. For Canadian hockey fans, including those in Edmonton, the matchup carries the country's playoff hopes—if Carolina continues their dominant run without a loss, Canadian hockey will need either the Habs or someone else in the Western Conference to make a serious run.
The Hurricanes have been playing at an elite level all season and arrived at the Finals with the kind of dominance that makes them the favorites. But hockey playoffs are unpredictable, and tonight's winner will have momentum and the belief that they can knock off the unstoppable force.
Edmonton's own playoff run came up short, but the city's hockey culture means local fans are invested in how the national game plays out. A strong Canadian showing in the Finals is good for the sport and the country's competitive identity. The Oilers' disappointing exit makes tonight's Game 7 feel even more important—someone's got to carry the torch.
First puck drops tonight. Winner moves on to face a team that hasn't lost yet. That's pressure, but it's also the kind of moment playoff hockey is made for.