Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was absolutely livid as he marched down the tunnel, and head coach Lindy Ruff could only watch his season slip away.
The Buffalo Sabres are officially packing their bags and going home.
Alex Newhook buried the overtime winner to clinch the second-round series for the Montreal Canadiens.
It was a 3-2 final score that will undoubtedly haunt Western New York all summer long.
Luukkonen snapping and launching his helmet down the dark corridor was the defining image of Monday night.
You cannot blame the fiery goaltender for losing his temper after a bitter, season-ending finish like that.
Buffalo heavily outshot the Canadiens 39 to 24 in a game they largely controlled from puck drop.
The Sabres pressed hard but just could not find that final offensive output to break the deadlock in regulation.
They generated sustained pressure, keeping the play pinned against the wall and forcing Montreal onto their heels.
But the Canadiens bent without breaking in their own end.
Playoff hero Alex Newhook sends the Canadiens to the conference final
Newhook found a pocket of open ice in the extra frame and made absolutely no mistake with his golden opportunity.
Crisp passing through the neutral zone set up a clean, controlled entry before the final shot beat Luukkonen cleanly.
It is a completely agonizing way to end a grueling, physical playoff run after battling hard all series.
Montreal is moving on to the next round with all the momentum on their side, proving they are a legitimate threat.
Buffalo now enters another long, frustrating offseason desperately searching for answers on the blue line.
Also read on HockeyLatest :
Canucks player Danila Klimovich's agent forced to get involved after baseless rumour
Canucks player Danila Klimovich's agent forced to get involved after baseless rumour