3 Washington Capitals storyline to match the Canadians – Hockey Writer – Washington Capitals

Hockey returned to the Capital First Class Arena Wednesday night to compete in the second game of the first round series of the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens. Although Capitals fans were shocked with a 1,3-2 record in Alex Ovechkin's first overtime title in the playoffs, the Canadians fans brought their third comeback to force overtime after their team was so close. As the team prepares for tonight’s Game 2, here are some storylines that need to be followed in this Oriental Conference Series.

Dylan Strome’s impressive contribution in the first game

Ovechkin received all the glory for launching the Capital Victory Party in Game 1, but Dylan Strome's contribution is worth mentioning. Strome scored a minor assist in all three Washington goals and was 2 p.m. in ice time at 17:49 minutes.

In Washington's first goal, Strome speeded into the area before handing the puck to Tom Wilson. The NHL's all-time leading scorer hit the puck, who traveled through the middle to help Wilson pass the puck to Ovickin's seam.

In the second phase, Strome tracked the failed driveway along the boards of Lane Hutson to clean up attempts and quickly moved the puck to Ovechkin's blue line. Washington's captain noticed that Anthony Beauvillier was only in front of the net, playing a hockey puck to Montembeault, who could not cope with the rebound. Beauvillier deposited the rebounds online to gain a 2-0 Washington advantage. Without Strome's Slick Pass and Ovechkin's quick thinking, the Capital's second goal wouldn't have happened.

This ovi-stromer-beauvi series has juice pic.twitter.com/vbkuvikeq0

— Capital of Washington (@capitals) April 22, 2025

Strom then helped the Capitals win the game by hitting the puck in an overtime defeat against Alex Newhook. Ovechkin rushed to the middle of the ice, gathered loose pucks and slid the pass for Beauvillier, who shot at Montembeault, then found Ovechkin and passed the ball for the game winner. “I think it’s a great drama [Dylan Strome] “It's a mess, 'beauvi' got the first shot and then trying to find me there, and it's a wonderful thing happening when you go online.”

Logan Thompson should expect more pressure in Game 2

Montreal wasn't easy with Capitals goalkeeper Logan Thompson, who missed weeks in his roster returning to the first game. Head coach Spencer Carbery didn't name the starter before the series, but Thompson first won the preliminaries on the ice in Charlie Lindgren's lead, suggesting his identity as his Stanter Stantmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindernmindern.

The Canadians fired 13 shots at Thompson during the opening phase, with 27 goals between the two teams. Washington's Netminder made eight saves to keep its closed bid for two periods before Montreal's third attack. The Canadiens doubled the Capitals’ game 14-7, resulting in two goals, including Nick Suzuki’s goal goal to play in less than five minutes.

Thompson didn't need to save money in overtime, and overall he made 33 saves on 35 shots. Nearly half (40%) of these shots were the last period under great pressure. To tie the series up, Canadians will hope to generate the same chaos they caused in stage 3 Monday night and keep the pressure on Washington. If the Capitals want a 2-0 series, Thompson will hinder those offensive opportunities.

The capital must avoid the power of Canadians at all costs

Washington escaped with an overtime victory in Game 1, but they should blame themselves if they let the opening of the series pass through the hockey gloves. Pierre-Luc Dubois whistled at 10:03 in the third stage and his team rose 2-0. Less than 30 seconds later, Cole Caufield put the rebound behind Thompson to reduce the lead to 2-1. The Canadians fed the 5:12 match with the momentum of that goal. Thompson did everything he could to deny the target. Still, the goalkeeper lost the crease, and Suzuki calmly drove the puck past Nic Dowd and into the air net.

Related: 4 keys to the capital, win the first round against the Canadian

In the first game, Washington was fined twice and received a 50% fine in the fine killing. If Washington wants to occupy a 2-0 series, the capital must avoid going to the free throw box and bring time and space to Montreal's offensive threat.

The second game of the hockey fell to 7 pm tonight.