The Montreal Canadiens 2025 Stanley Cup playoff run came to a disappointing end on Wednesday night with a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in Game 5. The Capitals capitalized on two power play opportunities, with goals from Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson, securing their spot in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Aside from Ovechkin and Wilson’s power play goals, Jakob Chychrun and Brandon Duhaime (EN) also found the back of the net for the Capitals. Emil Heineman managed to score the lone goal for the Montreal Canadiens in the third period.
Now, let’s delve into the performances of the three least impressive Montreal Canadiens players from their Game 5 loss to the Washington Capitals.
### 3. Lane Hutson
Rookie sensation Lane Hutson gave it his all in Game 5, logging over 27 minutes of ice time across 27 shifts. Despite registering two shots on goal and a blocked shot, Hutson ended the night with a disappointing minus-2 rating. He was notably caught out of position on Chychrun’s goal in the first period, failing to prevent the Capitals from scoring.
### 2. Cole Caufield
Star winger Cole Caufield struggled to make an impact in Game 5, going scoreless on the night. Despite playing over 19 minutes and generating three shots on goal, Caufield failed to find the back of the net. Additionally, he ended the game with a minus-2 rating and was outplayed on Chychrun’s goal, reacting too late to stop the defenseman from scoring.
### 1. Nick Suzuki
Team captain Nick Suzuki also failed to make a significant impact on the scoresheet in the crucial elimination game. Despite playing over 22 minutes and registering three shots on goal, Suzuki ended the night with a minus-2 rating. He was on the ice during the Canadiens’ late 6-on-5 push to tie the game, but unfortunately, it was not enough to avoid elimination.
With the Canadiens now facing an early offseason, questions loom regarding potential changes heading into the next season. Meanwhile, the Capitals advance to the second round as they set their sights on a deep playoff run this spring.
About the author:
Nestor Quixtan is an experienced NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda, with a passion for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays. His expertise in reporting on sports events and his unique perspective on ice hockey make his articles informative and engaging. When not writing, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.
The Montreal Canadiens may have fallen short in their Stanley Cup playoff run, but their journey has provided valuable lessons and insights for the team moving forward.
