Ovechkin’s Overtime Goal Gives Capitals Game 1 Victory Over Canadiens

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens are set to face the Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The series opens with Game 1 on April 21, bringing excitement as this marks the Canadiens’ return to the postseason after their memorable run to the finals in 2021.

This series is especially significant as it features a rare playoff matchup, only the second ever between the Canadiens and Capitals, the first since 2010. In that year, the No. 8 seeded Canadiens stunned the top-seeded Capitals in a thrilling Game 7. Today, Montreal enters the series as underdogs once again, aiming to upset the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.

The Canadiens and Capitals faced each other three times during the regular season, with Washington edging out Montreal 2-1. All matchups were closely contested, requiring decisive third periods or overtime. In their final encounter on January 10, Cole Caufield’s goal helped the Canadiens secure a 3-2 win.

Key players in this series include Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals and Lane Hutson of the Canadiens. At 39, Ovechkin continues to break records, having returned from a fractured leg to score 44 goals this season, while Hutson, a rookie defenseman, has set franchise records for points and assists by a defenseman.

The Canadiens have relied heavily on their top line of Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Nick Suzuki, who have excelled as a unit. This trio produced impressive league statistics, and their performance will be crucial for Montreal’s success against the Capitals.

In goal for the Canadiens, Samuel Montembeault is expected to start in Game 1 after a career-best season. Washington’s Logan Thompson may return for the Capitals after recovering from injury.

In their playoff opener, Ovechkin scored two goals, including the overtime winner, leading the Capitals to a 3-2 triumph after they surrendered a two-goal lead in the third period. “A goal is a goal,” Ovechkin stated, reflecting on his first overtime playoff goal. This victory marks Washington’s first playoff win since May 2022.

The two teams will meet again for Game 2 in Washington this Wednesday before the series shifts to Montreal.