Capitals' Tom Wilson, Canadiens' Josh Anderson brawl on bench in wild Stanley Cup Playoffs scene

There’s thing rather similar the strength of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the vigor of contention spilled implicit into a brawl betwixt the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens connected Friday nighttime to the constituent wherever players were warring connected the bench.

The play had ended successful Game 3 of this first-round series, successful which the Capitals were up 2-0. Capitals prima Tom Wilson, known for being an instigator arsenic overmuch arsenic an violative threat, and Canadiens’ Josh Anderson were jawing backmost and distant arsenic they went toward the locker rooms. 

Things escalated rather quickly, arsenic they began to combat connected the Capitals’ bench, portion a linesman attempted to get successful betwixt them. But it was to nary avail, arsenic the referee was lone caught up successful the combat pushing its mode down the bench, and they yet fell to the floor. 

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A referee (55) tries to abstracted Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson (17) and Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson, beforehand left, arsenic they combat pursuing the 2nd play of Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff bid successful Montreal, Friday, April 25, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Other players started to get progressive and going aft each different arsenic Wilson and Anderson kept fighting, including Washington’s Lars Eller and Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj. 

"I was connected my mode to locomotion crossed the crystal . . . truthful past I had to reverse my people and caput back, due to the fact that determination was 2 ample individuals coming done the doorway that I was trying to exit," Capitals manager Spencer Carbery said astir the altercation aft the 6-3 nonaccomplishment to the Canadiens. 

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"It was conscionable 2 competitory teams, 2 competitory guys going astatine it."

"Things escalated, got retired of power determination a small bit," Anderson added. "At the extremity of the day, you’re conscionable trying to instrumentality up for your teammates."

Tussles betwixt Montreal Canadiens guardant Brendan Gallagher (11) and Washington Capitals guardant Tom Wilson (43) and guardant Pierre-Luc Dubois (80) and Montreal Canadiens guardant Cole Caufield (13) during the 2nd play successful crippled 3 of the archetypal circular of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs astatine the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

Wilson, who received a 10-minute crippled misconduct and a roughing minor, the aforesaid subject arsenic Anderson, was seen mocking the Canadiens aft the combat was yet breached up. 

The Canadiens led aft the 2nd play 3-2, and they didn’t look backmost to cod their much-needed archetypal triumph successful the best-of-seven bid connected Friday night. 

Tension was felt connected the Bell Centre crystal earlier puck drop, arsenic Wilson and Xhekaj were exchanging immoderate words during warm-ups, which began making its rounds connected societal media.

Again, these are 2 players known for not lone sticking up for teammates, but besides ruffling the feathers of opponents whenever they can. 

Montreal Canadiens' Josh Anderson (17) falls into the Washington Capitals' seat arsenic helium fights with Capitals' Tom Wilson (43) pursuing the 2nd play of Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff bid successful Montreal, Friday, April 25, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

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We mightiness spot much fireworks betwixt these 2 squads, arsenic Game 4 connected Sunday sees Montreal looking to adjacent it up, portion Washington hopes to person a commanding pb with the 2nd circular successful mind. 

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