It’s been a long time coming, but the Montreal Canadiens are finally back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs—making their return for the first time since 2021, and for the first time in a full 82-game season since 2017. Their first test will be against none other than Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, though apparently, that doesn’t change anything for Patrik Laine and the Habs.
Though Washington is one of the biggest contenders in the NHL, Montreal holds a fond memory of the last time they faced the Ovechkin-led Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The two teams previously met during the 2009-10 season, when the Habs shocked the league with an upset series win over the Presidents’ Trophy–winning Caps. To add insult to injury, Montreal overcame a 3-1 series deficit.
This time around, the scenario looks awfully similar. The Canadiens clinched the last ticket in the East on their last game of the season, while the Capitals cruised their way to the Metro Division title and the best record in the Conference. Moreover, Ovechkin accomplished the inimaginable, dethroning Wayne Gretzky for most goals in NHL history.
The more things change, the more they stay the same — and Montreal is hoping for a repeat of the 2010 shocker. However, Laine doesn’t seem to buy into the buzz surrounding this matchup, approaching it as any other series. The power-play specialist made that clear with a bold, seven-word comment.
lex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals poses with the puck used during his 895th career goal in the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 06, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Ovechkin’s goal passes Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals to become the NHL all-time goal-scoring leader.
“Doesn’t matter. Couldn’t care less,” Canadiens fourth-best goalscorer Laine said about facing Ovechkin in a playoff series, per Montreal’s YouTube channel.
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Montreal star Ivan Demidov pokes the bear with bold admission about Alex Ovechkin ahead of playoff meeting
No love in Montreal
In a series with polarized rosters, Montreal features youth and an almost reckless approach, realizing they have everything to win. Meanwhile, Washington acknowledges its aging core and that it’s spending one of the last bullets in Ovechkin’s career chamber, hoping to capture the Stanley Cup for the second time.
For such an incredible career, just one Lord Stanley feels like too little a reward on Ovi’s résumé. However, they aren’t getting any empathy or mercy from the reckless Habs. Similarly to Laine, Ivan Demidov dropped a strong admission about Ovechkin.
Ivan Demidov poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the fifth overall pick during the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I love [Evgeni] Malkin much better than Ovi,” Ivan Demidov said in response to a question about possibly facing his idol in the playoffs. “[He was my idol] during my childhood only.”
It appears the Canadiens are making the most of their postseason appearance, poking the bear. They say if you come for the crown, you best not miss — and Montreal has already raised the stakes for the upcoming series.
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Playoff schedule
- Game 1: Canadiens at Capitals on April 21 at 7p.m. EST
- Game 2: Canadiens at Capitals on April 23 at 7p.m EST
- Game 3: Capitals at Canadiens on April 25 at 7p.m. EST
- Game 4: Capitals at Canadiens on April 27 at 6:30p.m. EST
- Game 5 (if neccesary): Canadiens at Capitals on April 30 TBD
- Game 6 (if neccesary): Capitals at Canadiens on May 2 TBD
- Game 7 (if neccesary): Canadiens at Capitals on May 4 TBD
