The Washington Capitals have established a physical tone early in their playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, presenting a direct challenge for the young Canadiens roster. Capitals players including Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson delivered a barrage of hits in the opening game, setting the stage for an intense matchup.
Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis addressed questions regarding his team's response to the Capitals' physicality after Game 1. The Capitals outhit the Canadiens significantly in the series opener, particularly in the first period.
defenseman Arber Xhekaj watched Game 1 from the press box. His presence in the lineup was a point of discussion heading into Game 2 and Game 3 as Montreal considered how to match Washington's aggressive approach. St. Louis noted that having Xhekaj available was "a card" he might play.
Reports indicated that Xhekaj was expected to return to the lineup for Game 3. This decision comes as the Canadiens look to push back against a Washington team willing to test the boundaries of the rules.
The intensity of the series included a notable confrontation between Canadiens forward Josh Anderson and Capitals forward Tom Wilson. The incident underscored the physical nature of the playoff contest between the two clubs. MUST SEE: Canadiens Anderson Fights Wilson On Capitals Bench
St. Louis suggested inserting Xhekaj, known for his willingness to drop the gloves, would require removing another player from the defense corps. He acknowledged that even with Xhekaj, the Capitals' style of play was unlikely to change. "Xhekaj or not, Canadiens confident they can match physical Capitals"
Canadiens players recognized the need to elevate their own physicality. Forward Alex Newhook stated the team had the size and strength to match Washington's intensity and pace.
The first period of Game 1 saw several hard checks and incidents, including a scrum that resulted in a power play for Washington. Coach St. Louis commented that his young team felt the speed and physicality early but showed improvement as the game progressed.
