As the puck gets set to drop in the series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals, Martin St-Louis faces some significant lineup decisions. Not only did the Capitals finish 20 points ahead of the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference standings, but they also boast a deep and well-rounded roster.
Offensively, only Tampa Bay scored more goals than Washington this season, and defensively, just seven teams allowed fewer. While their power play ranks in the middle third of the NHL, the Capitals have the fifth-best penalty kill—an area of strength that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Perhaps the greatest challenge for Montreal will be how they handle the combination of size and experience on the Capitals’ roster. According to Elite Prospects, the Canadiens are the second-youngest team in the NHL and the youngest team in the playoffs, with an average age of just 25.79. In contrast, the Capitals are the 12th oldest, averaging 28.58 years.
That age gap comes with a significant playoff experience advantage for Washington—a factor that could weigh heavily as the series progresses. The Capitals are also the 5th tallest and 6th heaviest team in the league.
Forwards
|
HEIGHT |
WEIGHT |
TOI/GP |
|
|
Tom Wilson |
6’4” |
225 |
18:44 |
|
Alex Ovechkin |
6’3” |
238 |
17:43 |
|
Dylan Strome |
6’3” |
196 |
17:23 |
|
Pierre-Luc Dubois |
6’4” |
220 |
17:18 |
|
Aliaksei Protas |
6’6” |
247 |
16:27 |
|
Nic Dowd |
6’2” |
190 |
15:11 |
|
Brandon Duhaime |
6’2” |
210 |
13:21 |
|
Lars Eller |
6’2” |
208 |
12:27 |
|
Taylor Raddysh |
6’3” |
200 |
12:22 |
Dealing with these large, experienced forwards will be no small task for Montreal’s defense. And because the Habs use a hybrid defensive system, even some of their smaller forwards will be forced into tough physical matchups with these bigger bodies.
Defensemen
Washington’s size isn’t limited to their forwards—their defensemen are just as imposing.
|
HEIGHT |
WEIGHT |
TOI/GP |
|
|
John Carlson |
6’3” |
220 |
23:34 |
|
Jakob Chychrun |
6’2” |
216 |
21:04 |
|
Matt Roy |
6’2” |
212 |
19:53 |
|
Rasmus Sandin |
5’11” |
189 |
19:11 |
|
Martin Fehervary |
6’2” |
203 |
19:00 |
|
Trevor van Riemsdyk |
6’3” |
197 |
17:40 |
Aside from Sandin, none of these defensemen will be easy to push around—especially for smaller Habs forwards like Caufield, Gallagher, and Newhook. Montreal will have to lean heavily on their speed, quickness, and hockey sense to get through this wall.
In their last 52 games of the season, the Capitals have won only one more game than the Canadiens.
— Marc Antoine Godin (@magodin.bsky.social) 2025-04-19T19:14:56.655Z
Arber Xhekaj
The situation surrounding Arber Xhekaj is both unfortunate and, to some extent, unfair. It feels like he’s operating under a much shorter leash than other players on the team. Right now, it seems to be a decision between Xhekaj and Jayden Struble for a spot in the lineup. The coaching staff clearly values David Savard’s experience, shot blocking, and penalty killing—even if his skating isn’t what it once was.
Struble brings some grit and edge to his game, but not at the level Xhekaj does. And this isn’t about comparing the two players statistically. It’s about the unique, intangible presence Xhekaj brings—something that could prove critical against a rugged Capitals team featuring the likes of Tom Wilson and Brandon Duhaime.
If the Canadiens don’t see a role for Xhekaj in a series like this, it’s fair to start wondering about his future in the organization. Because if they ever do move on from him, they may spend years trying to find another player with his exact qualities.
