Overview

• The Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 in Game 5, clinching their first playoff series victory since their 2018 Stanley Cup run.
• Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 9:12 of the first period, tying him for 12th in NHL history with 76 career playoff goals.
• Offseason acquisitions Logan Thompson and Jakob Chychrun were pivotal, with Thompson making 28 saves and Chychrun scoring a key first-period goal.
• Tom Wilson contributed a goal and an assist, while Brandon Duhaime sealed the game with an empty-netter in the third period.
• The Capitals now prepare to host the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, having split their regular-season series 2-2.