Canadiens Face Capitals in Playoff Upset Bid

The Montreal Canadiens, having defied expectations to clinch a playoff spot as the Eastern Conference's second wild card, opened their series against the Washington Capitals with a hard-fought 3-2 overtime loss. Despite being significant underdogs against a Capitals squad led by Alex Ovechkin, who scored twice including the overtime winner, Montreal showed resilience by rallying in the third period to force extra time. The game highlighted the Canadiens' need to match Washington's physicality, as the Capitals out-hit and out-blocked them, setting a tone of playoff intensity and experience. Montreal's youthful roster, led by captain Nick Suzuki and rookie Lane Hutson, has demonstrated confidence from battling through a challenging season, and coach Martin St. Louis has embraced the underdog mentality. While the Capitals entered the series as favorites and Eastern Conference leaders, their inconsistent finish to the season has left room for a potential upset by the surging Canadiens. Fans and analysts alike see Montreal's relentless spirit and recent momentum as giving them a fighting chance to make the series competitive.