Pregame analysis and predictions of the Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals NHL game to be played on April 30, 2025 on ESPN.

Andrew Mangiapane scored the go-ahead goal with just under four minutes remaining, Brandon Duhaime had two goals and Logan Thompson made 16 saves to lead the Washington Capitals to a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens for a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

Washington Capitals forward Andrew Mangiapane scored a late game-winning goal to help secure his team a 3-1 lead in their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Montreal Canadiens are on the board and looking to draw even with the Washington Capitals with Game 4 coming up Sunday night in their NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs series.

If the answer is “no,” that’s OK. Montreal nearly backed its way into the playoffs and the Washington Capitals hit a rough patch of their own. Still, this matchup brings a whole bunch of juice — the most prolific goal scorer of all time, the East’s top team and the return of postseason hockey to one of the sport’s true epicenters.

The Washington Capitals visit the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the first-round, best-of-7 series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Friday.