The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2 and reached the Eastern Conference final, and Captain Nick Suzuki talked about the hard work the team put in to achieve this win.

Suzuki emphasized the intensity of playoff hockey and how small moments can decide outcomes. Following a hard-fought win that pushed the Canadiens to their limits, Suzuki admitted that the victory came only after the team gave everything they had to get through the series.

“You know, it took everything that we had to, you know, get through this series”, Nick Suzuki said. 

When asked about his reaction after winning the series, Nick Suzuki said he first felt relief and excitement after the goal. Then he quickly went to celebrate with his teammates after the winning play.

“Relief, excitement, just, you know, jumping off the boards as fast as you can to get over and celebrate. So that was an amazing shot, amazing play.”

Suzuki emphasized recovery and mental reset, stressing the need to rest before preparing for the next playoff challenge in Carolina.

“And now we've got to just reset, get some rest, and I'll get ready to go to Carolina.”

The series with the Sabres featured tight margins, shifting momentum, and high-pressure situations that tested both teams over multiple games. Although some games were very one-sided, some were close, and both teams won a few.

The final game was very tight, and the Montreal Canadiens won 3-2 in overtime. Before that, Game 4 also ended 3-2, but the Canadiens lost that match.

Alex Newhook Also Talked About the Series Win Against the Sabres

Along with Nick Suzuki, his teammate Alex Newhook also addressed the media. Newhook said that overtime feels more relieving because the game ends right away, so there is no pressure to defend a lead in the final minutes.

“I guess maybe a little bit more relief, you know, too, because, you know, you don't have to keep holding on to the lead; maybe, you know, it's done.”

He also talked about the teamwork and credited the whole team for the series win. 

“You know, it takes the whole group to get where we're at right now.”

Newhook scored the winning goal in two consecutive Game 7s. It shows how valuable he is in the big games for the Canadiens. 

Now, the Montreal Canadiens will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, starting from May 21, 2026, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi