Capitals could win first playoff round since 2018
Photo credit: The New York Times
After taking two straight at home and earning a split in Montreal, the Capitals aim to close out the series in Game 5 and avoid a return trip to Quebec for a potential Game 6.
The Washington Capitals could win their first playoff round since 2018.
Katie Adler from RMNB writes since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, Washington has endured five straight first-round exits. Now leading the series 3-1, they'll try to snap that streak with a win on Wednesday night.
Lars Eller, who scored the Capitals' last series-clinching goal nearly seven year ago, is more than confident that his team has what it takes and can get the job done this year.
«I think we're just comfortable when the games are close all year. We don't deviate from our game plan. I don't think anybody's trying to do too much, or we're not getting shaky or nervous. All year, it's been the same now in the playoffs, we just stay the course and we find a way to win those games and get that goal, whether it's early in the third or late in the third or overtime.» -Eller
Following a 6-3 setback in Game 3, the Capitals responded with a dominant third period in Game 4, scoring four unanswered goals to secure a 5-2 win in Montreal.
Pierre-Luc Dubois knows that his team could channel that same momentum and energy into their fourth win of the series on Wednesday.
«It's funny. (Somebody once said,) 'The series doesn't start 'till somebody loses at home,' and that's finally happened. So it's our turn to win at home next game to close this series out. You never want it to drag. Obviously, they're going to be playing probably their best game of the season. They don't want to go back home empty-handed. So for us, it's going to be about preparing today. We had a good practice, tomorrow we'll have good meetings, and we'll be ready to go.» -Dubois
That doesn't mean closing it out will be simple. While the Capitals hold a 3-1 lead in the series, each win has come with a challenge. Game 1 needed overtime after a late Canadiens rally, and the other two victories were tight one-goal games until Montreal pulled their goalie.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery knows that his team needs to take another step in Game 5 to close out the series and move on to the second round.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 30 | 37 ANSWERS Capitals could win first playoff round since 2018 Will the Capitals close out their first-round series against the Canadiens on Wednesday in Game 5? | ||
| yes | 32 | 86.5 % |
| no | 5 | 13.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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