A highlight in the loss was the first power-play unit of Caufield, Suzuki and Slafkovsky, a trio on the first line, with forward Ivan Demidov and defenseman Lane Hutson. Demidov and Hutson both had assists on the two power-play goals.

The NHL cracked down on any possible mishaps between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals following a huge brawl in Game 3. Josh Anderson and Tom Wils

If the answer is “no,” that’s OK. Montreal nearly backed its way into the playoffs and the Washington Capitals hit a rough patch of their own. Still, this matchup brings a whole bunch of juice — the most prolific goal scorer of all time, the East’s top team and the return of postseason hockey to one of the sport’s true epicenters.