Connor McMichael scored twice and Logan Thompson made 14 of his 25 saves in the third period as the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens.

Logan Thompson's goaltending in the third period "was the difference tonight," according to coach Spencer Carbery, as the Capitals took a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series with Montreal.

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.