After leaving Game 4 due to an injury, Thompson powered through Game 5, saving 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-2 win, and will likely return to the crease for Game 5. The 28-year-old Thompson has a 2.54 GAA and .912 SV% through four games (3-1) this postseason. The Capitals enter Game 5 with a 3-1 series lead, attempting to be the second team to advance to the second round of the playoffs. They enter the action on Tuesday as -177 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens team that has scored three or fewer goals each game in this series.

Protas has not played since suffering a foot injury on April 4th but could make his 2024-25 postseason debut in Game 5 after being a game-time decision the past three contests. The 24-year-old Protas had 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.

Protas last appeared on April 4th due to a foot injury but has been travelling with Washington for their first-round series vs. Montreal and is a game-time decision to return for Game 3 on Friday. The 24-year-old took a massive step forward in his fourth NHL season in 2024-25, with 30 goals, 60 points and a +40 plus/minus in 76 games played.

Protas last appeared on April 4th due to a foot injury but has been travelling with Washington for their first-round series vs. Montreal and is a game-time decision to return for Game 3 on Friday. The 24-year-old took a massive step forward in his fourth NHL season in 2024-25, with 30 goals, 60 points and a +40 plus/minus in 76 games played.

Unsurprisingly, Thompson will make his third straight start as Washington looks to take a further 3-0 stranglehold on their series vs. Montreal on Friday. The 28-year-old has continued his in-season success by becoming nearly unbeatable in the playoffs thus far, with his 2-0-0 record, .951 SV% and 1.47 GAA. He'll face the tough task of Montreal at home on Friday, who were 23-12-6 at the Bell Centre this season.

Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs due to a laceration on his foot, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.

Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight games this season, scoring zero points. He will be able to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.

The Capitals had a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 and will roll with Thompson between the pipes on Wednesday for Game 2. Thompson was excellent in Game 1, his first game in nearly three weeks, perfect through two periods and saving 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in the victory. The 28-year-old Thompson made his playoff debut last season with the Vegas Golden Knights and improved his career totals to a 2.27 GAA and .926 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Capitals enter Game 2 as -172 home favorites against the Canadiens.

Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and will now miss the first two games of the playoffs due to a laceration on his foot, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.

Protas missed the final six games of the regular season and missed Game 1, but could return to the lineup for Game 2. The 24-year-old Protas scored an impressive 66 points (30G / 36A) in 76 games this season.

Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight gams this season, scoring zero points. He could be ready to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.

The Capitals had a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 and will likely roll with Thompson between the pipes on Wednesday for Game 2. Thompson was excellent in Game 1, his first game in nearly three weeks, perfect through two periods and saving 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in the victory. The 28-year-old Thompson made his playoff debut last season with the Vegas Golden Knights and improved his career totals to a 2.27 GAA and .926 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Capitals enter Game 2 as -172 home favorites against the Canadiens.

Alexeyev exited Game 1 on Monday due to an upper-body injury after playing only 14:02 time-on-ice. The 25-year-old defenseman only played eight gams this season, scoring zero points. He is expected to be ready to return to the lineup for Game 2 on Wednesday.