The Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens square off tonight at 7 p.m. on Monumental Sports Network and ESPN in Game 5. The Caps lead the series 3-1 and have a chance to close it out. Here are 3 X Factors who could decide the game.
#3 Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin scored his 75th career playoff goal in Game 3 which moved him past Joe Pavelski (74) for the 13th most in NHL history. Ovi has scored three goals through the first four games of Washington's First Round series.
He scored two goals in Game 1 including his first career playoff overtime goal to propel the Capitals to a 3-2 win back on April 21. Per NHL Stats, Ovechkin at 39 years old and 216 days became the fourth oldest player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to score an overtime goal behind Igor Larionov (41 years, 187 days), Ray Whitney (39 years, 355 days) and Steve Thomas (39 years, 322 days).
Ovechkin is playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 16th time in his 20 year career. He'll without a doubt be an X factor when the Caps take the ice tonight.
#2 Bradon Duhaime
Brandon Duhaime scored twice in Game 4 and he'll be looking to feast for some more goals tonight. He will also be looking to use his body to block shots, deliver hits, and deliver a knockout blow.
He also is the spirit of the locker room as we saw in the first two games where he ate the lineup sheet. Jakob Chychrun, who's been a friend of Duahime since childhood, loves the tradition and spoke about it.
"It's good. He keeps things loose when everyone else might be tight. He's just a great balance, a great guy to have. He's been the same since he's been a little kid, and I've had the pleasure of being with him for a long time. To be with him here in the NHL has been a blessing and great memories that I cherish every day. And I'm glad that the guys here get to experience Dewey the way I have since I've been a kid. Special guy, special teammate, and fun to be around. "Jakob Chychrun
#1 Pierre-Luc Dubois
Pierre-Luc Dubois will look to make an impact in Game 5. The native of Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec has recorded 23 points with 10 goals and 13 assists in 27 career regular season games against Montreal.
Dubois' 23 points against the Canadiens are the third most points he has registered against a single franchise in his career. The 26 year old established career highs in assists with 46 and points with 66 in his first season with the Capitals.
PLD ranked tied for second on Washington in assists, tied for third in points, and sixth in goals. In addition, he ranked first on the team in primary assists with 29, second in even strength points with 52, five on five points with 46 and plus/minus with plus 27 as well as sixth in game winning goals with four.
Dubois became just the second player since 2010-11 to reach the 60 point mark in their first season with the Capitals, joining Dylan Strome who did it with 65 points in 2022-23.
Those are our 3 X factors for tonight's game. Here's hoping the Caps can finish it off.