Following a 3-1 win in Game 2, now having the series lead at 2-0, the Washington Capitals are headed North to play Games 3 and 4 of their first round series against the Montreal Canadiens in the Bell Centre. According to an article from itinerantfan.com, the Bell Centre was ranked as the second loudest arena in the NHL, only trailing to their country rival Rogers Place which hosts the Edmonton Oilers.
What to expect
Going in favor of Washington, they also play in a loud arena. Growing up in the DMV area, I have been able to see the Capitals play in Capital One Arena and experience the electric environment that "Rocking the Red" really is. However, as almost any player, coach, fan, or anyone with ears will tell you, a road environment can and often will have a drastic event on the swings of the game.
Looking more of what the Canadiens will look to take advantage of, this will be the first playoff series in the Bell Centre with the full fan experience since their 2017 first round loss against the New York Rangers in a six-game series. Even though they have recently been able to make it to the Stanley Cup with their underdog run and Carey Price legacy playoffs back in 2021, it is safe to say that the fans have been anticipating the return of playoff hockey in the Bell.
To no ones suprise, momentum will likely have a huge swing in how these games go. Although down 2-0, the Canadiens have been able to catch Washington "sleeping at the wheel" at times. Courtesy of their goaltender Sam Montembeault and their elite first line headed by Center Nick Suzuki, Right Winger Cole Caufield, and Calder Memorial Trophy Favorite Defenseman Lane Hutson, Montreal has shown they can strike fast.
Game One featured a Capitals 2-0 third period lead that was squandered within minutes with goals from Caufield and Suzuki. Montembeault was also able to stand on his head the second half of the game, with no goals in the back third of the second period and all of the crucial third period.
During Game Two, we also saw Montembeault allow two goals early in the second and bounce back, allowing no more goals with a 0.935 save percentage. Despite the loss, he also went toe to toe with Washington Goalie Logan Thompson.
Although it can seem easy to say that a win now one seed versus an ahead of schedule eight seed is an easy series to mail in, especially when the latter is down 2-0. However, this is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Teams like the 2013-2014 Los Angeles Kings and the 2022-2023 Florida Panthers along with many more have shown that it isn't over until it's over. Time will tell how this series ends, but it is still far from over.