The stage is set, and now all that’s left is for the players to take to the ice at the Capital One Arena. Washington’s grizzled veterans vs. Montreal’s young guns? Surely experience will prevail, right? Well, as logical as that may sound, the Caps, despite their dominant season and the Alex Ovechkin factor, still look vulnerable at times. Especially in front of their goal, where they’ve consistently been shipping 2-3 goals per game. But nonetheless, their offense is a finely honed weapon that can slice through teams with ease, irrespective of the goals they concede. And they’ve just gotten a fresh boost in that department.

Examining Washington’s last 10 regular-season games reveals the lingering problems. The Capitals have a 4-6-0 record in their last 10 regular season games, raising significant concerns among the fanbase and leaving Alex Ovechkin visibly frustrated in the locker room. Why wouldn’t he be? “I hope I’m still going to get a couple chances,” said the Caps captain after their round 1 exit in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But amidst the mounting pressure, the Caps have a positive development concerning one of their injured players. Tom Gulitti, an NHL regional writer, shared on X: “Aliaksei Protas (skate cut on foot) skated briefly this morning under the watchful eye of the training staff. Wearing non-contact jersey. He also shot a few pucks after this. You can make your own assessment of his availability for Game 1 vs. Canadiens tomorrow.”

Aliaksei Protas has had a remarkable 2024-25 NHL season with the Washington Capitals, solidifying his role as an invaluable component of the attack. Over the course of 76 games, the 24-year-old center from Belarus notched 30 goals and 36 assists, amassing a total of 66 points and an impressive +40 plus-minus rating. It’s even more impressive considering that in his previous three seasons with the Caps, his goal tally hasn’t risen above the single digits.

The Capitals’ second-best 3.49 goals-per-game average can be attributed in part to his notable 21.1% shooting percentage and robust two-way play, which were key factors in their top finish in the Metropolitan Division. However, he sustained a foot injury in early April, raising questions about his availability for the forthcoming playoffs. But with Gulitti’s update implying his return, the Caps look all set to take the series by storm.

Undoubtedly, facing off against the Canadiens presents a formidable challenge, even for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Though they just squeezed into the playoffs, players like Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson, and Ivan Demidov can definitely deal the Caps some damage if they let their guard down. But Protas’ return to the ice could prove to be a difference maker for his team. Are you familiar with the recent comments made by Ovechkin’s team’s coach regarding their opponents?

Alex Ovechkin’s opponents get an acknowledgement from the coach

“Everybody calls it a young team, young team. They got all these young players. Six of these players played in the Stanley Cup final in the bubble, right? I think Evans played maybe half the games or a handful of games in the playoffs, but he played on that Stanley Cup final team,” noted Spencer Carbery following a practice session at Capital One Arena. You don’t see Carbery praising the other team very much.

Despite having star players like Alex Ovechkin on his roster, the coach remains cognizant of the formidable challenges posed by the Montreal Canadiens to his Washington Capitals. Jake Evans has dedicated six seasons to the Canadiens and has taken part in two postseason tournaments, making him a player of interest for Carbery.

The Caps coach pointed out two more impressive players from the Canadiens, stating, “So they do have some experience and some guys that have been there on deep runs. And then the other thing, not the elephant in the room, what everybody knows is Suzuki’s line with Lane Hutson has, since the Four Nations, we have them as the best line in the National Hockey League.” In his role as a coach, Carbery has observed the matches closely and has been an eyewitness to the Canadiens’ remarkable comeback.

Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson have forged a noteworthy alliance for the Montreal Canadiens this season. Their teamwork on the ice was evident in crucial moments, such as Suzuki’s game-tying goal with only 8.4 seconds left against the Florida Panthers, assisted by Hutson, leading to an overtime victory. Their contributions have been instrumental in driving the Canadiens’ offense forward. So, youth vs. experience, who will come out on top?