Capitals' Thompson returns for Game 1 vs. Canadiens

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson returned to the crease Monday for Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens.

The netminder missed Washington's last seven games of the regular season after suffering an upper-body injury April 2. Running mate Charlie Lindgren got the bulk of the starts in Thompson's absence, going 3-2-0 with an .881 save percentage over that stretch.

Thompson ended the campaign with a sparkling 31-6-6 record to go along with a .910 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average. He also ranked eighth at his position in goals saved above expected (24.9) at all strengths, according to Evolving-Hockey.

The 28-year-old has faced the Canadiens twice in his career, with both head-to-heads occurring this season. He went 1-0-1 against the Habs with an .889 clip and 3.04 goals-against average.

Thompson won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, though he was injured during the run and didn't get his first taste of playoff action until the following spring.

He started four games for Sin City last postseason, recording two wins and a .921 save percentage during his club's first-round loss to the Dallas Stars.

Thompson was traded to the Capitals at the 2024 draft in exchange for two third-round picks. Washington signed him to a six-year extension with a $5.85-million cap hit in January.