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NHL DoPS makes suspension decision on Capitals' cross-checks to faces of Brendan Gallagher and Cole Caufield

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 3:22 PM ET

Adding to the frustration that Montreal Canadiens fans are experiencing right now is the decision by the NHL not to punish Washington Capitals players for their actions in Game 2.

The Montreal Canadiens are in trouble after falling into a 2-0 hole against the Washington Capitals in the opening round of the postseason.

After dropping Wednesday night's Game 2, the Canadiens now have no choice but to win four of the next five games to avoid a first-round elimination.

Adding insult to injury for Canadiens fans was the recent decision by the NHL Department of Player Safety not to punish any Capitals players for their cross checks to the faces of Montreal players.

Montreal forward Cole Caufield was irate late in the 3rd period after taking a cross check up high from Washington's Nic Dowd that knocked him to the ice in front of the Washington net.

Cameras captured him jawing at the on-ice officials from the bench, demanding to know why a penalty wasn't called.

Montreal's Brendan Gallagher took a cross check up high for the second straight game, this time from Washington defenseman Matt Roy, who was unpenalized.

Gallagher also took a high cross check in Game 1 from defenseman Alexander Alexeyev, which also went unpenalized.

Regardless, the Canadiens cannot allow themselves to get too frustrated by the rotten breaks that they're experiencing. Playing in front of their roaring crowd at Bell Centre in Montreal for Games 3 and 4 should give them an emotional boost, but they'll have to make the most of it to avoid having to go home for an early summer.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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