🦅 🇨🇦
2025-26 regular season

Capitals at Canadiens

🗓 📍 Bell Centre, Montréal 🔁 Capitals lead the season series 2–1

Canadiens beat Capitals 6–2 at Bell Centre on February 28, 2026.

WSH – MTL
29–25
Shots on goal
20–13
Hits
13–12
Blocked shots
4–3
Takeaways
⚔️ Head-to-head

The game

The stars, every goal, the box score and the recap
Head-to-head →

Three stars

Best games by the box score
1st star 🇨🇦 MTL
Nick Suzuki
1 G, 2 A
2 shots · 18:25 TOI
2nd star 🇨🇦 MTL
Cole Caufield
2 G
5 shots · 16:19 TOI
3rd star 🦅 WSH
Alex Ovechkin
2 G
6 shots · 15:30 TOI

Scoring

8 goals · in order
1st period
🇨🇦 Cole Caufield Go-ahead 1st · 00:30
Unassisted · beat Charlie Lindgren
0–1
🦅 Alex Ovechkin Tying 1st · 13:16
1–1
🇨🇦 Cole Caufield Go-ahead 1st · 14:19
1–2
2nd period
🇨🇦 Mike Matheson 2nd · 12:22
1–3
🇨🇦 Kirby Dach 2nd · 16:34
Assists: Nick Suzuki · beat Charlie Lindgren
1–4
3rd period
🦅 Alex Ovechkin 3rd · 12:12
2–4
🇨🇦 Nick Suzuki Empty net 3rd · 16:44
Unassisted
2–5
🇨🇦 Jake Evans SH Empty net 3rd · 18:35
Unassisted
2–6

Game recap

AI

Canadiens Dominate Capitals with 6-2 Victory

The Montreal Canadiens claimed a decisive 6-2 win against the Washington Capitals on February 28, 2026. The game was marked by strong offensive play from the Canadiens, who built a commanding lead and effectively shut down any rally attempts from the Capitals.

Big Picture

From the outset, the Canadiens asserted their dominance. They quickly scored just 30 seconds into the game, setting the tone for a high-energy matchup. After the Capitals managed to briefly tie the game, Montreal responded with two quick goals, which would be pivotal in establishing their control. The Canadiens ultimately outscored the Capitals 6 to 2, showcasing their depth and offensive firepower.

Turning Point

The turning point of the game occurred in the first period when Cole Caufield netted his second goal at 14:19. This goal came shortly after Alex Ovechkin's equalizer for the Capitals, which appeared to provide them with a momentum boost. Instead, Caufield's answer shifted the game's energy back in favor of Montreal and gave them a lead they would not relinquish. From that moment, the Canadiens took control, scoring twice more in the second period to build a 4-1 advantage.

Standout Performances

Cole Caufield was a standout star, scoring two goals and helping set the pace for his team. Nick Suzuki also made his mark, providing two assists and later scoring a goal in the third period. Mike Matheson and Kirby Dach contributed significantly with their goals, showcasing a balanced offensive effort. For the Capitals, Alex Ovechkin had both goals, continuing to prove his scoring prowess, but he lacked the support needed to turn the tide.

What It Means

This victory is crucial for the Canadiens as they continue to solidify their position in the standings. The win not only boosts confidence but also reinforces their offensive capabilities heading into the latter part of the season. For the Capitals, this loss highlights the need for more consistent scoring depth beyond their top players. Overall, this game illustrated the Canadiens' potential and emphasized the importance of building momentum as teams approach playoff contention.

Lines & pairings

Estimated from ice time
🦅Capitals
L1 Dubois · Protas · Wilson 18:22
L2 Ovechkin · Strome · Leonard 15:30
L3 McMichael · Dowd · Sourdif 14:48
L4 Beauvillier · Frank · Duhaime 11:30
D1 Chychrun · Fehervary 22:24
D2 Roy · Sandin 20:02
D3 van Riemsdyk · Chisholm 14:06
🇨🇦Canadiens
L1 Suzuki · Danault · Caufield 17:53
L2 Slafkovsky · Evans · Anderson 14:25
L3 Newhook · Dach · Gallagher 13:45
L4 Bolduc · Kapanen · Demidov 12:24
D1 Guhle · Matheson 24:26
D2 Hutson · Carrier 19:08
D3 Dobson · Struble 13:52

Team stats

Away left · home right
🦅WSH MTL🇨🇦
29 Shots on goal 25
20 Hits 13
13 Blocked shots 12
4 Takeaways 3
15 Giveaways 16
8 Penalty minutes 10
WSH shooting 6.9% (2/29) MTL shooting 24.0% (6/25)

Goaltending

Saves, shots faced and save percentage
🦅Capitals
19/23
.826 SV% · 4 GA · 58:52 TOI
🇨🇦Canadiens
27/29
.931 SV% · 2 GA · 60:00 TOI

Where the goals came from

8 of 8 goals located
Cole Caufield · 1st 00:30 · 0–1 Alex Ovechkin · 1st 13:16 · 1–1 Cole Caufield · 1st 14:19 · 1–2 Mike Matheson · 2nd 12:22 · 1–3 Kirby Dach · 2nd 16:34 · 1–4 Alex Ovechkin · 3rd 12:12 · 2–4 Nick Suzuki · 3rd 16:44 · 2–5 Jake Evans · 3rd 18:35 · 2–6
WSH MTL
The net is on the right for both teams. Hover a dot for the goal.

Period by period

AI
After 1st — 1–2
Capitals
Capitals — trailing by 1 goal after 1st: 5-8-1 (36% win rate, 14 games)
Canadiens
Canadiens — leading by 1 goal after 1st: 7-4-3 (50% win rate, 14 games)
After 2nd — 1–4
Capitals
Capitals — trailing by 3 goals after 2nd: 0-3 (0% win rate, 3 games)
Canadiens
Canadiens — leading by 3 goals after 2nd: 4-0 (100% win rate, 4 games)
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WSH vs MTL, answered

Who won Capitals vs Canadiens on February 28, 2026?

Canadiens won 6–2. The final score was Capitals 2, Canadiens 6.

Who scored for Capitals?

Alex Ovechkin (2).

Who scored for Canadiens?

Cole Caufield (2), Jake Evans, Kirby Dach, Mike Matheson, Nick Suzuki.

How did the Capitals goalie play?

Charlie Lindgren made 19 saves on 23 shots (.826 save percentage).

How did the Canadiens goalie play?

Jakub Dobes made 27 saves on 29 shots (.931 save percentage).

Where is Capitals vs Canadiens played?

At Bell Centre in Montréal, the Canadiens home rink.

What is the Capitals vs Canadiens season series?

Capitals lead the season series 2–1 after 3 games.

Have a different question? Ask the Oracle — it answers from real box scores.