The Montreal Canadiens faced a disheartening 5-2 defeat against the Washington Capitals in Game 4, a pivotal moment that brought them to the edge of elimination. The decisive play came from Tom Wilson, whose controversial hit on Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier in the third period sparked outrage among Montreal players and fans alike, with many questioning the officiating standards in the NHL.

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery commended Wilson's aggressive play as a game-changer, while Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes expressed his disbelief at the lack of a penalty, suggesting the rules seem inconsistent. This hit shifted momentum, allowing the Capitals to tie and ultimately seal their victory with two late empty-net goals. Now, the Canadiens must regroup quickly as they head into a must-win situation for Game 5.