Overview
- The Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 in Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
- Tom Wilson's third-period hit on Alexandre Carrier, which was not penalized, led to a game-tying goal and sparked criticism from Montreal about officiating consistency.
- The NHL fined both teams $25,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct during warmups before Game 4, with additional fines for individual players Arber Xhekaj and Dylan McIlrath.
- Game 4 also experienced a TNT broadcast blackout, forcing a switch to Sportsnet’s feed, which drew mixed fan reactions and highlighted ongoing network challenges.
- Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis and rookie goalie Jakub Dobes expressed frustration with officiating, while the Canadiens face a must-win Game 5 in Washington to avoid elimination.