Alex Ovechkin Claims Controversial Moment Changed Capitals-Canadiens Series
The Washington Capitals eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in five games, winning 4-1 on Wednesday at Capital One Arena to reach the second round for the first time since they won the Stanley Cup in 2018.
In the minds of many Capitals, as revealed following the Game 5 victory, the series may have been won 72 hours earlier in a highly controversial moment involving Tom Wilson.
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Back in Game 4, Wilson leveled the Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier with the Capitals trailing 2-1 in the game and leading the first-round series 2-1 over the Habs.
With Wilson's hit unpenalized, the play went on, and Washington immediately scored the game-tying goal before ultimately earning the third win of the series, moving up to a 3-1 lead over Montreal.
Asked about the moment that changed the series and swung them in Washington's favor, team captain Alex Ovechkin didn't hesitate.
'You know my answer,' Alex Ovechkin said. 'Game 4. Third period. Tom Wilson.'
'I think that's why everybody loves the sport of hockey,' Wilson said. 'There's guys on both sides of the puck that are willing to do whatever they have to for their team.'
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On Wednesday, Ovechkin opened the scoring in Game 5 on the power play.
'They don't make them like him anymore,' Wilson said of Ovechkin. 'He's doing it all right now.'
Ovechkin returned the praise. 'We won a series and we're going to enjoy it tonight,' he said. 'Tomorrow it's a new day.'
Jakob Chychrun added another just over two minutes later, and Wilson gave the Capitals a 3–0 cushion with a second-period goal.
Emil Heineman briefly cut into the lead before Duhaime's empty-netter sealed Washington's first home-ice series win in a decade.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) warms up before a game at T-Mobile Arena.Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Wilson's hit stirred controversy, drawing criticism from Montreal, but the Capitals carried the momentum of that play into the next two games, halting Montreal's comeback attempt after winning Game 3.
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"We knew that they were gonna play kind of cheap and try and get us off our game," Wilson said. "So it got crazy at times. But that's why hockey's so fun, and that's why we all love the sport and we love playing and love competing."
The Capitals now prepare for a second-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, with Game 1 taking place in Washington at an unknown date but in the next few days.
Related: NHL Sends Message to 14-Season Veteran After Retirement Decision
Related: Tom Wilson Addresses Controversial Hit in Capitals-Canadiens Game 4
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