In a pivotal Game 5, Alex Ovechkin's powerful shot set the tone for the Washington Capitals as they defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 to clinch their first playoff series win since 2018. Logan Thompson's outstanding performance in goal, including 28 saves, was instrumental in keeping the Canadiens at bay. The Capitals now advance to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, aiming for a spot in the Eastern Conference final. Ovechkin's early power-play goal ignited the home crowd, while crucial contributions came from Tom Wilson and Brandon Duhaime, who sealed the victory late in the game. Notably, the Canadiens, despite their late-season surge into the playoffs, struggled to maintain momentum without key players like Sam Montembeault and Patrik Laine.

In a heated playoff atmosphere, both the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals have been fined $25,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct before Game 4. This decision highlights the NHL's commitment to maintaining discipline during the playoffs. Players Arber Xhekaj from Montreal and Dylan McIlrath from Washington also faced fines for their actions during warm-ups, with Xhekaj being fined $3,385.42 and McIlrath $2,018.23, both maximum amounts as per the collective bargaining agreement.

The series itself has been intense, with the Capitals currently leading 3-1 after their recent victory. The NHL's crackdown on unsportsmanlike behavior is evident, with previous fines issued in the series and warnings to teams regarding their conduct. As the playoffs progress, teams are reminded that maintaining professionalism is crucial.

The Washington Capitals closed their regular season with a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing with a commendable record of 51-22-9 and 111 points. Notably, goaltender Clay Stevenson made his NHL debut with 31 saves amidst a challenging matchup. Connor McMichael netted the first goal, but the Penguins quickly countered with Bryan Rust equalizing shortly after. Ovechkin, celebrated for becoming the NHL's all-time goals leader, managed to score on a power play. Despite all efforts, the Capitals fell behind as Pittsburgh capitalized with a series of goals, leading to a final score of 5-2. The Capitals now turn their focus to the playoffs, where they will face the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round.

Jersey numbers hold personal significance for many players on the Utah Hockey Club, as seen in their individual stories. Olli Määttä, who favors lower digits, wears number 2, traditionally associated with defensemen. John Marino follows suit with number 6 for the same reason. Michael Kesselring, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, takes number 7, previously unavailable due to its honor in Arizona. Clayton Keller, influenced by his childhood, sticks with number 9 after moving to Utah. Dylan Guenther chose number 11 for its aesthetic value, while Alexander Kerfoot transitioned from 14 to 15 due to number allocations in the NHL.

Jack McBain, unable to wear his preferred 11, opted for 22 as a playful double. Barrett Hayton carries on his father’s legacy with number 27, but switched to 29 when it was retired. Ian Cole, who doubled his number from 14 to 28, and Liam O’Brien, assigned number 38, illustrate the randomness in number assignments. The blend of personal stories and team traditions makes each jersey a symbolic representation of the players' journeys.