Capitals Eliminate Canadiens, Advance to Second Round

The Washington Capitals secured their first playoff series win since their 2018 Stanley Cup victory by defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 in Game 5, clinching the series at home. Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring with a power-play goal, tying Mario Lemieux for 12th on the NHL's all-time playoff goal list, and Jakob Chychrun quickly doubled the lead. Tom Wilson added a goal and an assist, while Brandon Duhaime sealed the win with an empty-netter. Goaltender Logan Thompson made 28 saves, repeatedly shutting down a desperate Canadiens offense, especially in the third period. With this win, the Capitals advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the next round and will have home-ice advantage thanks to their regular season record. The Canadiens exit the playoffs after making their first appearance since 2021, gaining valuable experience for their young roster.