In Washington, the Capitals edged out the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night, bolstering their position with a 2-0 lead in the first round of the playoff series. Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome propelled the comeback with two rapid goals just a minute apart early in the second period, turning the game in Washington’s favor.
Goaltender Logan Thompson was a standout with 25 saves, making crucial stops, especially in the third period. One of his best came when he thwarted a two-on-zero breakaway attempt by Josh Anderson, preserving the Capitals’ lead. Later, he altered a shot by Christian Dvorak with a timely stick deflection. The crowd celebrated Thompson’s performance, their cheers ringing throughout the arena as they chanted his initials and applauded his impact in just his second game returning from injury.
Strome lauded Thompson’s key saves, particularly emphasizing his efforts in the waning minutes of the match. Thompson’s teammates didn’t give the Canadiens much room to breathe, especially through a dominant second period where they outshot their opponents 18-8, tilting the rink in their favor and maintaining pressure on Montreal’s goalie, Sam Montembeault.
McMichael also sealed the deal by scoring into an empty net with a mere 1.1 seconds left, showcasing the Capitals’ resilience and underlining their status as a formidable force in the NHL this season. They smoothly controlled the gameplay, monopolizing the puck and effectively pressing their advantage against Montreal’s less seasoned team.
Despite the loss, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis recognized some positive aspects of their play, including the buildup to Dvorak’s opening goal. He acknowledged the class shown by both goaltenders, pointing to a thin margin between victory and defeat. Montembeault was essential for Montreal once again, repelling 29 of 31 shots, with notable saves against players like Anthony Beauvillier and Nic Dowd.
Reflecting on the intense matchup, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin credited the teams for their hard-fought efforts, emphasizing the significance of minor details in securing playoff wins. Attention now turns to Game 3, set for Friday night in Montreal. This will mark a full-capacity playoff match at Bell Centre for the first time since 2017, providing both teams with a charged atmosphere to reignite their series battle.