The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs turn seven days old on Friday, and with each passing game, the stakes only get higher.
Here’s one critical thing each team can prove in Friday’s games.
Washington Capitals
Prove: They have a killer instinct.
The top seed in the Eastern Conference leads Montreal 2-0 as the series returns to Montreal. They’ve failed to really dominate either game, and Montreal has repeatedly pushed the Capitals deep into the third period, including a rally in game one to force overtime.
The Capitals could get massive winger Aliaksei Protas back from injury. Perhaps his return will add a little extra pop into Washington’s lineup.
