The Washington Capitals are heading to the second round for the first time since 2018 after a Game 5 victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Capitals, who had lost five straight playoff series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, advanced to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Carolina defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games in its first-round series.

The juggernaut Washington Capitals proved to be too much to handle for a young Montreal Canadiens team. The Capitals, who finished second overall in the regular season, were able to defeat the Canadiens in five games.