Canadiens: Not So Long Ago It Was 3-1…

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29-04-2025

May 27, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Joel Armia (40) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period of game five of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
After four hard-fought games, the Montreal Canadiens are on the brink of elimination in their first-round series against the Washington Capitals. The Habs had a day off on Monday. Still, alternate captain Brendan Gallagher spoke to the media and explained this was nothing new, reminding the press that Montreal was down 3-1 in their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021.
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Granted, there aren't that many players left on the team (Gallagher, Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Jake Evans), but they are leaders the other players look up too, so leading the way will be nothing new for them when the puck drops on Wednesday night.
Going back even further, in the Spring of 2010, the Habs were also down 3-1 against those same Capitals and ultimately prevailed. Of course, none of the players from then are still around, but the circumstances were similar. The Habs had qualified from the skin of their teeth while the Capitals were the Presidents' Trophy winners.
Montreal won the first game 3-2 in overtime before losing the next three, including two one-sided games. Still, the Canadiens rose from their ashes thanks to Jaroslav Halak. They put up three consecutive wins to eventually dispatch the regular season champions in seven games on their turf.
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The fact that the Canadiens haven't won a game in Washington so far doesn't mean they cannot do it. Despite the scoreline of Sunday night's game, the Habs were in it until the very end and were by no means dominated.
The efficiency of both special teams may also play a significant role in game five. The newly formed first power play unit was impressive in game four and will be hungry for more in game five, especially with the high stakes.
The Canadiens will hold a practice in Brossard at 11:00 on Tuesday morning before departing for Washington at 2:00 PM. They'll then have a morning skate on Wednesday at 10:30 in Washington to prepare for game five, which is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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