Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome propelled the Washington Capitals to a commanding 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, taking a 2-0 series lead in the first round. Logan Thompson shone in goal, making 25 saves and delivering clutch stops, including a pivotal denial against Josh Anderson during a breakaway. The Capitals controlled the puck effectively, outshooting Montreal 18-8 in the second period, leading to McMichael's second goal into an empty net.

Fans showered Thompson with appreciation, recognizing his resilience after returning from injury. The Canadiens, however, were competitive, with coach Martin St. Louis acknowledging their pressure and the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities. As the series heads to Montreal for Game 3, excitement builds for the return of full-capacity playoff action at the Bell Centre.