BREAKING: Montreal Canadiens defeat Maple Leafs 3-1, advancing to second round of Stanley Cup playoffs

The Canadiens defeated Toronto in an epic Game 7 matchup, advancing to the second round for the first time since 2015.

Four games into the series, Toronto was up 3-1, however Montreal rallied back, winning Game 5, then Game 6. Tonight, suspicions that the Maple Leafs would (yet again) choke in a Game 7 were confirmed.

After a scoreless first period, the Canadiens got on the board just three minutes into the second, and added another later in the frame. Toronto managed to get one in at the end of the third, but it was too little, too late. Montreal added an empty netter for good measure.

Despite just barely making the playoffs, and falling behind early in the series, Montreal appears to have found its rhythm. Beating Toronto is just the first hurdle; the Canadiens will have to maintain that energy when they face the Winnipeg Jets in the second round.

As Spittin' Chiclets explained, this year's Montreal - Toronto series bares an uncanny resemblance to the Montreal - Boston series of 2004. Many of the team's more superstitious fans were convinced, even before the game began, that Montreal would come out on top.