After an incredible 2024-25 regular season, the playoffs are finally here. And the vibes are… mixed.

In search of the franchise’s second Stanley Cup championship, the Capitals will begin their journey with a seven-game, best-of-seven series against the Montreal Canadiens. Here’s your series preview.

The Capitals will start the series without 30-goal scorer, Aliaksei Protas, and defenseman, Martin Fehervary, who are both out due to injury. However, the Capitals will see a return from starting goaltender Logan Thompson, who will take the net after recovering from an upper-body injury first suffered on April 2.

Montreal comes into the playoffs like the 2007-08 Capitals once did: with an insanely talented youth core who is still learning how to win. This series should be fun, nerve-racking, and great hockey.

Puck drop for Game 1 is at 7:00 pm on Monumental Sports Network. Joe B and Locker have the call. Let’s go Caps!

Lines

Washington Capitals

Montreal Canadiens

Tunnel shenanigans

1st Period

Bob McDonald and Caleb Green beautifully sing the US and Canadian national anthems before the game. Goosebumps.

Puck is dropped. Capitals start Ovechkin,Strome,Beauvillier and Sandin-Roy vs. Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher and Matheson-Carrier. It’s a clean-shaven Logan Thompson vs. Sam Montembeault in net.

Beauvillier and Ovechkin with huge hits on the first shift.

Semi-breakaway for Connor McMichael who nearly scores on Montembeault driving the center lane.

McMichael with another point-blank chance the next rush down the ice.

Lars Eller with a shot from the bottom of the left circle. Caps have three quality chances early.

Alex Alexeyev cross-checked Brendan Gallagher directly in the face. No call! Wow.

Tom Wilson with a big hit on Kaiden Guhle. This game is quickly getting salty. Caps have 7 hits in the first 3:28 of the game.

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