Capitals Host Canadiens in NHL Playoffs Opener

The Washington Capitals, who finished atop the Eastern Conference, open the NHL playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens, echoing a matchup from 2010 that still haunts Capitals fans due to a shocking first-round upset. Both teams have shown significant improvement this season, with Washington posting a strong goal differential and Montreal earning a playoff berth in the season's final game. While the Capitals are heavily favored, both squads have played at similar levels since late January, and Montreal enters the series as the lowest-seeded playoff team. Key performers include Washington's Dylan Strome and Alexander Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, and Montreal’s Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson. Despite recent strong performances, Washington is wary of repeating past playoff disappointments, with Ovechkin and coach Spencer Carbery emphasizing a focus on the present. The series is set to begin with Washington hosting Montreal, who won their most recent regular-season meeting in overtime.