With a 5-2 win on Sunday, the Washington Capitals made anyone who thought Montreal could make a series out of their first-round matchup think again. Rebounding from a 6-3 loss on Friday night, the Capitals exploded for four third-period goals to grab a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Canadiens.
Showing their dominance as a team, Washington managed to score three goals and a couple of empty-netters without Alexander Ovechkin registering a single point. In fact, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer was held scoreless despite registering five shots on net.
Trailing 2-1 going into the third, Washington was facing pressure to avoid letting the Canadiens, who were the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card team, tie the series. But it was in that moment, the veteran Capitals cracked Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes.
“Throughout the year, we’ve been dealt different hands. To overcome things, it’s a good mental exercise. I think we rely on each other and our game, and we feel confident,” said Capitals defenseman John Carlson after the game.
