Tom Wilson’s physical approach to hockey again took center stage as the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 in Game 4, moving within one win of advancing to the second round. Wilson’s controversial hit on Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier midway through the third period was the turning point.

MONTREAL -- Brandon Duhaime scored twice in a four-goal third period for the Washington Capitals, who rallied for a 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Bell Centre on Sunday.

Wilson's massive hit on Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alexandre Carrier led to a tying goal and sparked the Capitals

Andrew Mangiapane scored the go-ahead goal with just under four minutes remaining, Brandon Duhaime had two goals and Logan Thompson made 16 saves to lead the Washington Capitals to a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens for a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

With a 5-2 win on Sunday, the Washington Capitals made anyone who thought Montreal could make a series out of their first-round matchup think again.

The Capitals cracked the code at Bell Centre, beating the Canadiens 5-2 and going up 3-1 in their first-round series.

The Montreal Canadiens are on the board and looking to draw even with the Washington Capitals with Game 4 coming up Sunday night in their NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs series.

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.