Lightning force Game 7 after Goncalves' OT heroics stun Canadiens
The Tampa Bay Lightning have forced a decisive Game 7 after a tense 1-0 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. Gage Goncalves scored the winner, sending the series to a final showdown. Both teams now prepare for a high-stakes clash at Centre Bell Arena on Saturday. Game 6 ended in heartbreak for Montreal as Goncalves netted the only goal in extra time. Despite dominating long stretches of play, the Canadiens failed to beat Andrei Vasilevskiy, who made 30 saves. At the other end, Jakub Dobes was equally impressive with 32 stops, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Fans took to social media to voice frustration over the team’s performance. Many criticised poor puck control and a lack of confidence in key moments. Others pointed out that Montreal’s top lines struggled to make an impact, leaving the offence stagnant. With the series now tied 3-3, some supporters have called for changes ahead of Game 7. A few demanded that captain Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield be benched, while others questioned whether the team’s young roster has the experience to close out the series. The final match will take place at Centre Bell Arena, where Montreal will look to bounce back from their overtime defeat.
The Canadiens must now regroup before Saturday’s decider. A win would send them through, but they’ll need to break through Vasilevskiy’s defence. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay aims to carry their overtime momentum into the series finale.
