The Washington Capitals enter the playoffs with memories of their 2010 first-round upset against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens haunting them. In that series, despite being heavily favored, the Capitals fell short, a history that adds pressure as they prepare for another match against the same team. With a high-powered offense led by Alex Ovechkin and solid goaltending from Logan Thompson, Washington aims for redemption this postseason while avoiding previous disappointments.

The current Capitals roster is filled with fresh faces, supporting Ovechkin, who recently became the NHL's all-time leading goal-scorer. Coach Spencer Carbery describes the team as a collection of underdogs, and despite midseason success, they have struggled recently, winning only two of their last six games. Thompson's potential absence due to injury could affect their playoff aspirations significantly. The Capitals hope to harness the lessons from the past to propel them forward in the playoffs.