Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing knee surgery for a torn meniscus. The injury occurred when Fehervary twisted his leg while attempting to block a shot. Coach Spencer Carbery expressed deep sympathy for Fehervary, highlighting his vital yet often unnoticed contributions to the team. Fehervary played an average of 19 minutes per game and was the team's top penalty-killer, having blocked 150 shots this season. Fellow defenseman Matt Roy also noted that the loss of Fehervary is significant given his strong performance throughout the season.

In his absence, Alexander Alexeyev stepped into the lineup and played a key role as the Capitals edged the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 with a 3-2 overtime victory, capped by a late goal from Alex Ovechkin. Despite requiring dental work after a stick to the face, Alexeyev is expected to be ready for Game 2. With Fehervary out, the Capitals will need to adjust strategically as they progress in the playoffs.