Capitals' Alex Ovechkin pinpoints exact turning point in Canadiens series

   

Alex Ovechkin knows exactly where the first-round playoff series between the Capitals and the Canadiens changed.

Có thể là hình ảnh về 4 người, mọi người đang chơi khúc côn cầu và văn bản

The Washington Capitals are heading to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after comfortably cruising past the Montreal Canadiens in five games, capping off the victory with a 4-1 win in the nation's capital on Wednesday night. The Capitals finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, and they backed that up in their first-round series.

The Capitals are now moving on to the second round to take on the Carolina Hurricanes, but they will have some time to rest before that clash gets underway. Despite this series wrapping up in five games, most of the games were close and the final tally isn't reflective of how competitive it was throughout.

After Game 5, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin knew exactly where he thought that the series turned in Washington's favor, via NBC4.

“You know my answer. Game 4, 3rd period, Tom Wilson,” Ovechkin said bluntly.

Of course, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer is referring to Tom Wilson's massive hit late in Game 4 in Montreal. With the Capitals leading the series 2-1, the Canadiens seemed poised to tie the series up, holding a 2-1 lead with inside 15 minutes to go in Game 4. The hit changed the momentum of Game 4, which the Capitals closed with a flurry to win 5-2 and come back to D.C. with a 3-1 series lead.

Up until that point, the Canadiens had all of the momentum in the series. After losing the first two games, Montreal won Game 3 back at home in dominant fashion 6-3 before taking that lead in Game 4. Instead, Wilson's hit changed the trajectory of the series, and now the Capitals will have time to rest before a tough round two test gets underway.

Ovechkin also had his fingerprints all over this series. He put the exclamation point on Game 1 with a game-winning goal in overtime to give the Capitals a 3-2 victory and set the tone for the series.

It won't be easy for the Capitals to keep moving on, as they play one of the Stanley Cup favorites in the next round just to get to the conference finals. However, they will have the best goal-scorer on the ice every time out, and that will give them a lot of confidence coming into every game.

Quynh Long -
The Latest

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin pinpoints exact turning point in Canadiens series

Sport -7 giờ

Alex Ovechkin knows exactly where the first-round playoff series between the Capitals and the Canadiens changed. The Washington Capitals are heading to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after comfortably cruising past the Montreal Canadiens in five games, capping ...

Ex-Browns Receiver Signs $5 Million Deal With AFC Contender

Sport -7 giờ

Wide receiver Elijah Moore has found a new home, leaving the Cleveland Browns in free agency for the Buffalo Bills. Moore has spent the last two seasons in Cleveland. The Browns traded for Moore ahead of the 2023 season, bringing him ...

'There Is Going To Be A Competition' For Titans Trade Target

Sport -7 giờ

The Tennessee Titans have a new franchise quarterback in Miami’s Cam Ward, but that doesn’t mean they plan to trade Will Levis any time soon. A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Kentucky product started his career behind veteran ...

Texans WR Jaylin Noel got exactly what he asked for; just not how he imagined

Sport -7 giờ

Careful what you wish for. The Houston Texans landed a pair of Iowa State receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft to help bolster the position for C.J. Stroud's third year in the league. Adding Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins not only gives the ...

Saints legend Archie Manning approves of Kellen Moore's biggest decision as the team's head coach so far

Sport -7 giờ

The 2025 NFL Draft was a bit of a rollercoaster for the New Orleans Saints. They addressed needs effectively, but they also surprised some fans in round two by picking Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough.  Saints legend Archie Manning recently talked about Kellen Moore's decision ...