The Washington Capitals are heading to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since their 2018 championship run after a dominant 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5. Powered by a vintage Alex Ovechkin power-play goal — his fourth of the postseason and 76th of his playoff career — and strong contributions from Jakob Chychrun, Tom Wilson, and Dylan Strome, the Caps took control early and never looked back. Special teams were the difference, with the power play going 2-for-3 and the penalty kill perfect. Logan Thompson continued to shine in net, stopping 28 shots and showing poise under pressure, while Washington’s defense and physical play helped neutralize Montreal’s attack and keep momentum firmly on their side.

In addition to the star performances, key depth players stepped up as well. Logan Thompson has quietly become the team’s backbone in net, delivering clutch saves and bringing stability and confidence to the crease throughout the series. Meanwhile, the return of Aliaksei Protas gave the Caps a needed boost in the bottom six. Despite not scoring, Protas played smart, physical hockey, contributing on the penalty kill and creating space at even strength. With all four lines rolling, Washington now prepares to face the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2 — a matchup where depth, discipline, and goaltending will be crucial.

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