Capitals goalie Logan Thompson—fresh off 25 saves on 26 shots—even-handedly praised Washington's effort. "Luckily things went my way tonight, and we got the two points," Thompson said. There was just one problem with his assessment.

The Capitals again managed to outlast a late push by the Canadiens thanks to what Ryan Leonard called "extraordinary" saves in net.

Thompson was at his best in the third, notably robbing Josh Anderson of what would have been the tying goal on a 2-on-0 breakaway with 10:59 left.