If the playoffs started today, both these teams would be on the outside looking in. Washington still believes and expects to make a playoff push. Montreal is further back and knows its chances are bleak. The recent trade of center Sean Monahan for draft picks shows they're already thinking about the future. With Brendan Gallagher, another center, serving a suspension, the Habs are weak up the middle.

The Capitals were struggling before the break but are going to be ready to go tonight. Ovechkin will lead the way. The Capitals captain commented: "Right now you can see everybody's fresh, everybody's happy to be back and Tuesday's going to be a great day to play hockey." The Capitals are 3-0 the last 3 meetings here, outscoring Montreal 18-6. They will make it 4 in a row tonight.