For the first time in seven years, the Bell Centre was completely sold out for a playoff game. It was a celebration for Montreal Canadiens fans, who packed the streets as well as the arena to welcome their team back to the playoffs. As jovial as the mood was in Montreal, there was still a very important game to be played, as they entered the contest down two games to the Washington Capitals in their series. Losing was not an option, as it would put them on the brink of elimination and put a significant damper on the excellent vibes in the city.
The Habs needed to fight back, and that they did, thumping the Capitals 6-3 and putting the favourites on notice going into game four.
Watch this magically be a power play for the Caps to start the third. pic.twitter.com/2fNb3APofA
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) April 26, 2025
The expectation was naturally for Arber Xhekaj to provide a spark on the physical side of things, and while he did play his usual brand of in-your-face hockey, it was Josh Anderson who dragged his team to the fight. He’s been in Tom Wilson’s kitchen all series, limiting his effectiveness as a power forward. Some players truly come alive in the spring when the games start to count for real, and Anderson has proven he’s one of those guys.
With this series quickly becoming a war of attrition, they’re going to need those guys.
Both teams lost their starting goaltenders to injury during the game, with no word yet on how long they’ll be out. These were not caused by any of the post-whistle scrums, but rather the sheer intensity of the game. The Habs managed to harness the chaos on Friday and use it to their advantage, which is what they’re going to have to do every night from here out if they want to push it to six or seven games and win the thing.
Martin St-Louis seems to have found his ideal lineup to respond to the physicality that the Capitals have brought since game one. The team looked utterly shocked at times during the opening games in DC, and couldn’t find any of the time and space they need to create things offensively.
Friday night was a completely different story. They were the better team in all three periods, relentlessly pressuring the visitors en route to victory. Physicality was no longer an advantage for Washington, the Habs matched it, and manufactured that time and space. With it, their offensive stars did what we know they can, and doubled the team’s goal total from the previous two games put together.
Now they find themselves with quite the opportunity on Sunday. Win that, and they’ll go back to DC having turned this into a best of three.
Click the play button below to listen to your full Bottom Six Minutes, also available wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll be back for game four, Sunday night at the Bell Centre.
