The juggernaut Washington Capitals proved to be too much to handle for a young Montreal Canadiens team. The Capitals, who finished second overall in the regular season, were able to defeat the Canadiens in five games.

The Capitals, who had lost five straight playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, advanced to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Carolina defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games in its first-round series.

Lo and behold, Ovechkin scored immediately off a faceoff win by Dylan Strome, and the Capitals had a lead they wouldn’t relinquish despite a brutal start to their evening. The goal was Ovechkin’s fourth of the series and third at Capital One Arena. Strome has assisted on them all.