April 28, 2025, 01:07 ET
ARLINGTON, VA – Things are getting more and more familiar with the first round playoff series for the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens, from big hits to scrums after whist to even shenangans during pre-game warmups.
Each team was fined $25,000 for the players’ antics before Game 4 on Sunday night. Arbor Xhekaj in Montreal is fined $3,385.42, while Dylan Maquilat of Washington is $2,018.23, which is permitted under a collective bargaining agreement for conduct like sportsman.
It’s the set of the second fine in the series after Capitals forward Tom Wilson and Canadians forward Josh Anderson docked $5,000 at the end of the third term on Friday night at the end of the second term spilled on the visiting bench.
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The team has been paired with 37 penalties throughout four games, bringing hostilities up.
“It happens in every series, especially the first round,” Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher said in a video call with a reporter on Monday. “The team is very excited to have them and you’re beginning your journey. Every playoff I’ve been involved in is usually the most physical and most emotional, and this isn’t different either.
It also plays it as a war of words, as Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has expressed his dissatisfaction with the host. He told reporters after the team’s Game 4 loss, “It’s difficult to see some of these calls.”
When asked about St. Louis’ comments and the general referee, Gallagher said he believes he and his teammates handle it well for the most part.
“That wasn’t the way we do it,” Gallagher said. “It goes without saying, but that’s because they control it. There’s a certain thing that they believe is in the control of the league and it starts to turn around, and they take care of it.”
The Canadians have 13 power plays for the Capitals 10, surpassing 5-1 in those circumstances.
Washington coach Spencer Carberry dispelled St. Louis’ criticism that had some influence on how the rest of the series was called.
“We’ll go out and do everything we can to get power plays and don’t punish them, but the authorities call the game. Make sure we’re focusing on what we’re doing on the ice.” “It doesn’t affect what I do or what we do. The reference is a refs and I don’t care either. [with]. If you’re wrapped in something like that, it’s counterproductive to me. You get some calls. You are not going to take some calls. ”
Wilson’s huge hit in his Alexandre career sparked the Capitals scored twice in the third term for Canadian backup goaltender Jakub Dobbs, winning Game 4 and earning a 3-1 series lead. Game 5 is Wednesday night in Washington, with the Eastern Conference home team and top seed having the chance to advance Aliacsei Protas after missing the last three weeks with a skate cut on his left foot.
“He’s there,” Carberry said. “He’s a full practice. He’s ready to roll. We’ll see if he’s in Game 5.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
