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.