Logan Thompson beat Game 2 3-1 – Hockey writer's 3-1 defeat of Canadians – –
The Washington Capitals survived another third anniversary game with the Montreal Canadiens, winning a 3-1 victory in the second game of the first round of the series. Capitals forward Connor McMichael scored two goals, but Washington goalkeeper Logan Thompson stole the show with 14 saves to preserve the capital's victory.
Montreal's top line started well in the opening time of the first phase, but the Capitals' defense was quickly shut down. Thompson stopped all four shots he faced, while his opponent, Sam Montembeault, saved all nine photos sent in his direction. Physics first frame has no score.
Montreal scored in the first stage of the second stage and won a 1-0 advantage from Christian Dvorak at 1:16. Dvorak emits a loose puck in the crease and manages to push the frozen record to Thompson's opening score. This is Dvorak's first playoff goal since his 2020 playoff experience with the Arizona Coyotes. Canadian fans are starting to dream of this series as Montreal’s first score this season is excellent with a record of 26-9-2 or 70% victory.
For Montreal supporters, it was short-lived as Washington responded with two quick goals, opening at the Canadians at 91 seconds. At the 3:47 mark in the second phase, McMichael was eccentric on Dennis Savard’s skateboard and got his hockey luck behind Montembeault. Montreal's Netminder initially saved McMichael's wraparound attempt, which left him with no chance to exclude deflection from the network.
One minute later, Washington unlocked the game on Dylan Strome’s first goal in the series. After entering the area, Ryan Leonard brought the cross-pass to Anthony Beauvillier. The 27-year-old striker redirected the puck to the Strome slot for a touch attempt, and Montemet stopped, but the mesh could not contain the rebound, watching helplessly as the puck placed the puck into the net and led the building with a 2-1 building.
Region loves you, Stromer pic.twitter.com/yzi4zhyb7n
— Capital of Washington (@capitals) April 24, 2025
The third stage features two outstanding goalkeepers from the red-themed clubs. Thompson stole the show with an incredible series of savings to give Washington 12 minutes left in the game. Montreal's Jake Evans converts the fast hit pass distance to 12:48, and is about the same speed. Still, his shooting attempt found the red iron behind the dive Thompson, and the puck slid harmlessly away from the crease.
Related: 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Hub
As they did in the first game, the Canadians put pressure on Washington as they searched for targets to tie. Still, Montreal is struggling to solve Thompson as it beat the Capital One Arena scoreboard in 2-1 hockey game in seconds. Thompson waved less than five minutes on Cole Caufield's toes before paying tribute to the crowd with an ode to the “Lt,lt” after the gloves saved the area of another defensive area.
Canadians head coach Martin St. Louis has two minutes left with Montembault, giving Montreal a 6-on-4 skating advantage. A patient's capital's limited defense was ahead of McMichael's defeat before McMichael beat the game.
Montreal will need to monitor at least one potential injury in Game 2. Patrick Laine did make shifts against the Canadians in Game 3, so the injury will be part of Montreal as the scene moves to Canada in the next two games. The Canadians will need more secondary points to make a comeback in the first round of the playoffs.
