The Montreal Canadiens have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs after a 4-1 defeat against the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the first-round series, which concluded in five games. The Capitals will advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. This marks an unexpected playoff return for Montreal, their first since 2021, following a dramatic rebuilding phase after a disappointing start to the 2021-22 season.

Despite being near the bottom of the NHL standings for three years, the Canadiens managed to secure a playoff spot by capturing the final wild card in the Eastern Conference. Captain Nick Suzuki led the team with 89 points, while rookie Lane Hutson broke franchise records for a defenseman. However, injuries to key players, including goaltender Sam Montembeault, hindered their playoff performance against a robust Capitals squad.