MONTREAL -- Brandon Duhaime scored twice in a four-goal third period for the Washington Capitals, who rallied for a 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Bell Centre on Sunday.

Tom Wilson’s physical approach to hockey again took center stage as the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 in Game 4, moving within one win of advancing to the second round. Wilson’s controversial hit on Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier midway through the third period was the turning point.

Wilson's massive hit on Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alexandre Carrier led to a tying goal and sparked the Capitals

Logan Thompson provided clarity on his Game 3 injury scare following the Washington Capitals ' 5–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4. The goalie revealed that he did not suffer a lower-body injury, as initially believed, but rather a head issue that forced him out of Friday’s loss.

Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson (17) falls into the Washington Capitals' bench as he fights with Capitals' Tom Wilson (43) following the second period of Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series in Montreal, Friday, April 25, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP) AP

Jakub Dobes made 21 saves in his first career playoff start, the Canadiens forced to play without starting goaltender Sam Montembeault.

Andrew Mangiapane scored the go-ahead goal with just under four minutes remaining, Brandon Duhaime had two goals and Logan Thompson made 16 saves to lead the Washington Capitals to a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens for a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

The Capitals cracked the code at Bell Centre, beating the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 and going up 3-1 in their first-round series.

Washington Capitals forward Andrew Mangiapane scored a late game-winning goal to help secure his team a 3-1 lead in their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.