Riot police deployed as Montreal Canadiens fans celebrate Game 7 win
It was bedlam on the streets of Montreal following the Canadiens’ dramatic Game 7 OT victory against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.
Alex Newhook was the OT hero, sending Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final. It was a special moment for the franchise, and especially memorable for the hordes of Canadiens fans who were watching the game back in Montreal.
Multiple watch parties were held inside and outside of the Bell Centre, as the game was being played in Buffalo. After the OT winner, fans erupted inside the arena and throughout the Montreal streets.
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The Canadiens are now just four wins away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final and are Canada’s last hope at bringing the Stanley Cup back home. They have taken on the role of “Canada’s team” as they prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
The scene outside the Bell Centre looked straight out of a movie after the win.
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However, some of the celebrations got a bit too rowdy, and riot police were called in to deal with the crowds. At one point, it appeared that the police charged the crowd, and there were reports that they used some sort of “chemical irritant” to help disperse fans.
The Montreal Gazette reported that the majority of Canadiens fans peacefully left the Bell Centre and various outdoor watch parties after the game. The issue was described as a “small group” of fans getting into an “altercation” with police that involved throwing bottles and garbage cans at officers.
Riot police charging at and also deploying some kind of tear gas/chemical irritant against #Habs fans in downtown Montreal pic.twitter.com/liPciquIrg
— Harry North (@hsnorth_) May 19, 2026
Montreal Gazette reporter Harry North was on the scene to provide video.
A snippet of Mtl police issuing #Habs fans a warning to disperse in downtown. This follows riot police charging at fans and also deploying some kind of tear gas. Most fans appeared to have dispersed now. Anti social behaviour Iāve seen is knocking down signs pic.twitter.com/JvdXTkvosu
— Harry North (@hsnorth_) May 19, 2026
There were also reports that pyrotechnics were directed toward police around midnight. While it seemed intense, thereĀ have been no reported arrests stemming from the incident.
Montreal riot police ushering #Habs fans to clear some of the roads now. Some booing from fans pic.twitter.com/IfR6UAHfF4
— Harry North (@hsnorth_) May 19, 2026
NHL fans rioting after a playoff game is not unprecedented in Canada. The most notorious case of this happening came in Vancouver, after the Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Boston Bruins. Those riots caused nearly $3 million in property damage.
Habs fans love their hockey, and who knows what the city will look like if they can defeat the Hurricanes to move on to the Stanley Cup Final.