MONTREAL -- Brandon Duhaime scored twice in a four-goal third period for the Washington Capitals, who rallied for a 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Bell Centre on Sunday. This victory allows the Capitals to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, pushing the Canadiens to the brink of elimination.
The Capitals came into Game 4 looking to bounce back after a chaotic Game 3 where they lost 6-3, a match that was marred by a brawl between players on both sides, including an incident involving Tom Wilson and Josh Anderson that led to both players being fined for unsportsmanlike conduct. Capitals center Dylan Strome, who opened the scoring in the second period, reflected on the challenges of playing in front of a raucous Montreal crowd. "We did a good job of kind of not letting the moment get to us," he said. "The building was rocking last game. I think we kind of just learned a little bit from that — learned how to kind of channel our emotions with the noise and not be too high strung."
Logan Thompson returned to the Capitals' net after being sidelined due to an injury in Game 3. He made 16 saves, showcasing his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. “I kind of got my bell rung a bit there,” Thompson explained. “I’m thankful that it wasn’t worse because it definitely looked a lot worse than it was.”
Montreal, on the other hand, saw rookie Ivan Demidov finally make his mark in the playoffs, contributing significantly with two assists on power-play goals scored by Juraj Slafkovský and Cole Caufield in the second period. The Canadiens capitalized on their opportunities with the man advantage, tying the game at 1-1 and then taking a 2-1 lead with Caufield's goal late in the second period.
Despite the Canadiens' strong start, the Capitals turned the tide in the third period. The Capitals scored four goals in the final frame, starting with Brandon Duhaime's goal that tied the game at 2-2. This goal was set up by a massive hit from Tom Wilson, who leveled Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier, causing a shift in momentum. The Bell Centre, which had been buzzing with excitement, fell silent as the Capitals took control.
Andrew Mangiapane then put the Capitals ahead with just 3:37 remaining in the game, scoring a slick goal that left the Canadiens scrambling. Duhaime added an empty-net goal, followed by another from Wilson, sealing the Capitals' victory. The Capitals outshot the Canadiens 26-18 and dominated the expected goals, controlling 67 percent of the high-danger chances.
As the series shifts back to Washington for Game 5 on Wednesday night, the Capitals are in a prime position to close out the series. Coach Spencer Carbery has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and composure as they approach a potential elimination game for the Canadiens. "There’s a lot of ways that I can get Dylan Strome’s line away from Nick Suzuki’s. A lot of ways," Carbery noted, indicating his strategic approach to the matchup.
With the Canadiens facing elimination, they will need to regroup quickly. Coach Martin St. Louis will likely look to build on the positives from Game 4, particularly the performance of Demidov, who showed flashes of brilliance. His contributions could be pivotal as the Canadiens fight to stay alive in the playoffs.
As the tension builds heading into Game 5, both teams know what’s at stake. For the Capitals, it’s a chance to advance in the playoffs, while the Canadiens must dig deep to stave off elimination. With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere in Washington as the series continues.
In summary, the Capitals demonstrated their ability to rally when it mattered most, overcoming a challenging environment and a determined opponent. The stage is set for a thrilling Game 5 as both teams vie for supremacy in this hard-fought playoff series.
