Capitals, Canadiens Kick Off Playoffs April 21

The Washington Capitals, top seed in the Eastern Conference, face the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, with the Capitals aiming to overcome their recent first-round exits and the Canadiens making their first playoff appearance since 2021. Washington boasts significant offensive talent, including Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, and ranks second in the league for goals per game, while Montreal's offense relies heavily on its top line led by Nick Suzuki. Goaltending could play a decisive role: Capitals starter Logan Thompson had an outstanding regular season but is recovering from injury, making the presence of backup Charlie Lindgren important, while Montreal's Samuel Montembeault has quietly been one of the league's more effective goalies. Both teams will need strong play in the crease to advance, with Washington hoping its offensive firepower can overcome Montreal's resilient netminding. The series is set to begin Monday, April 21, at Capital One Arena. The matchup highlights the importance of both scoring depth and clutch goaltending in playoff success.