The Washington Capitals are emerging as strong contenders for the Stanley Cup this year. Nevertheless, the team encountered considerable obstacles in the recent matches just prior to the conclusion of the regular season. In their most recent 10 outings, the team recorded a 4-6-0 record, a statistic that is unlikely to sit well with fans. Concerns are mounting that the Capitals may struggle to advance to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But who stands in opposition to them?
The team in question is the Montreal Canadiens. In contrast to the Capitals, the Canadiens have demonstrated superior performance compared to the leaders of the Eastern Conference, boasting an impressive record of 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. In light of their rival’s recent performance, the Capitals’ coach has offered some insights.
“Everybody calls it a young team, young team. They got all these young players. Six of these players played in the Stanley Cup final in the bubble, right? I think Evans played maybe half the games or a handful of games in the playoffs, but he played on that Stanley Cup final team,” remarked Spencer Carbery after today’s practice at Capital One Arena, as noted on the Washington Capitals’ official X profile.
Carbery discusses Jake Evans. He has spent six seasons with the Canadiens and has participated in two postseason tournaments. What are his statistics? Throughout 13 postseason games, Evans has recorded 1 goal, 2 assists, and a total of 3 points. During the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, the forward participated in three games with the Montreal Canadiens, facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he tallied one assist and achieved a plus-minus rating of +1. Evans made his comeback in Game 1 following his recovery from a concussion he suffered earlier in the playoffs. His involvement in the Finals represented a pivotal moment in his NHL journey.
In a similar vein, highlighting two additional standout players from the Canadiens, Carbery remarked, “So they do have some experience and some guys that have been there on deep runs. And then the other thing, not the elephant in the room, what everybody knows is Suzuki’s line with Lane Hutson has, since the Four Nations, we have them as the best line in the National Hockey League.”
Head coach Spencer Carbery speaks to the media about his outlook for the postseason, analytics of the Canadiens, and more following today’s practice at Capital One Arena.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/yjTZ9atVgx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 19, 2025
Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson have established a compelling partnership for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024-25 NHL season. Carbery recognized their excellence on the ice, but he is acutely aware of the challenge they will present against the Caps. Suzuki, serving as the team’s captain and primary center, accumulated an impressive 89 points, which included 30 goals. Meanwhile, Hutson, a remarkable rookie defenseman, established a new franchise record with 66 points, eclipsing Chris Chelios for the highest points total by a rookie defenseman in Canadiens history.
Their collaboration shines through in pivotal instances, like Suzuki’s game-tying goal with just 8.4 seconds remaining against the Florida Panthers, set up by Hutson, culminating in an overtime win. Collectively, they have played a crucial role in propelling the Canadiens’ offense, positioning the team in playoff contention from a standpoint that few could have envisioned. Are you aware that a victory for the Capitals in Game 1 could potentially mark the end of a veteran Habs career?
His team will need to stop the Washington Capitals for a fairytale ending
Renaud Lavoie, a hockey reporter for TVA Sports, has reported, “David Savard just confirmed to reporters that he will retired at the end of the Montreal Canadiens playoff run. I can also add that he told the Habs front office about his intentions a few weeks ago.” In July 2021, David Savard inked a four-year, $14 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens, coming off a Stanley Cup victory with the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier that year.
Prior to that, Savard dedicated a decade to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the wake of Shea Weber’s exit, Savard stepped up to fill the void, establishing himself as a dependable presence on the Canadiens’ blue line. However, his journey was far from straightforward. Despite injuries and team obstacles, he clinched the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy in both 2023 and 2024, underscoring his significant contributions to the team.
This season, Savard reached a notable milestone by participating in his 800th NHL game, ultimately choosing to conclude his career while wearing the Habs colors. Although it seemed his journey was nearing its conclusion, as the Canadiens found themselves out of playoff contention, the team managed to reverse their fortunes in the latter half of the season, providing him with additional chances to take to the ice before retiring. As the Habs prepare to take on the Washington Capitals in the opening round, the outcome remains uncertain—will it culminate in a fairytale ending or not?
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