They came in fast, they came in furious—and now they’re up 2-0. The Washington Capitals aren’t just leading their first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens; they’re dictating the entire tempo and doing it with the kind of swagger that screams, ‘This isn’t your average postseason run’—but here’s the twist. As Washington throws everything at Montreal—crashing the net, winning board battles, and dominating high-danger zones—are they also skating straight into a trap? Could this relentless push for dominance come at a cost too big to bear: the health and longevity of their biggest hope, their aging legend, Alex Ovechkin?

The Washington Capitals have established a commanding 2-0 lead against the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round of their Stanley Cup Playoff series. In Game 1, Alex Ovechkin netted two goals, one of which marked his inaugural playoff overtime goal, propelling the Capitals to a 3-2 triumph. In a dramatic turn of events, Washington managed to clinch victory in overtime, even after relinquishing a two-goal advantage in the third period. Indeed, the squad from Montreal showed no signs of backing down!

In Game 2, the audience witnessed Connor McMichael score twice, with Dylan Strome contributing another goal, leading the Capitals to a 3-1 victory. Goaltender Logan Thompson delivered an impressive performance with 25 saves, notably 14 in the third period, ensuring the vital lead was maintained. The series is set to move to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday.

Amid the spotlight on both teams, a particular statistic regarding the Capitals emerges, highlighting their aggressive play on the ice, yet potentially hindering captain Alex Ovechkin’s aspirations for a Stanley Cup in the future. What is it, then? Tom Gulitti shared on X: “Per NHL EDGE Advanced Stats, high-danger shots were 8-4 Capitals in Game 2 and they have an 23-8 advantage on the Canadiens through the first two games.”

High-danger shots in hockey denote scoring attempts made from zones on the ice where the likelihood of goals is significantly increased—usually directly in front of the net or within the slot between the faceoff circles. The offensive zones represent prime real estate, as goalies face reduced reaction time and defenders often find themselves out of position. The Capitals appear to be executing their strategy flawlessly, creating significant challenges for the Canadiens. However, this can also have an impact on them as well.

In what way? Taking high-risk shots can elevate the likelihood of injuries. Players in defensive positions and goaltenders are exerting maximum effort to thwart scoring opportunities in critical areas, resulting in heightened physical engagement, including body checks, slashing, cross-checking, and occasional unintended collisions. Is there an instance of such an incident?

Dylan Holloway of the St. Louis Blues sustained a neck injury from a puck during a matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 5, 2024. He first glided to the bench before collapsing, leading to him being stretchered off the ice and taken to the hospital for observation. This situation highlights the risks athletes encounter in bustling zones close to the goal. The Capitals forward’s approach of moving in closer to the Canadiens’ defense for scoring chances could potentially pose a risk in the long term, particularly if one of their star forwards were to sustain an injury. However, the Alex Ovechkin-led Caps may soon get some good news.

Alex Ovechkin would like to have him back

Tom Gulitti provided an update on Aliaksei Protas, stating, “Aliaksei Protas (skate cut on foot) skating more freely and with more speed today than yesterday. Protas also skating backwards and doing backward crossovers, which I didn’t see him do yesterday. Protas skated for about 15 minutes, passed some pucks around with Ethen Frank for a few minutes when Frank came out before the morning skate, and then left after being called off by trainer Jason Serbus.”

The forward was having an exceptional season, reaching personal bests with 30 goals, 36 assists, and 66 points, along with a team-leading plus-40 rating. Nevertheless, he was sidelined for several games due to an injury sustained when a skate blade cut into his foot. These updates on him offer a glimmer of hope for Alex Ovechkin and his team as they pursue the coveted Stanley Cup.

Protas was observed gliding across the ice, executing a range of movements that highlighted the agility of a skilled hockey player. Additionally, he was observed practicing alongside his rookie teammate. Ultimately, the future will reveal whether he secures a spot on the Capitals roster for the playoffs.