Capitals set to face Canadiens in playoffs as fans gear up for games at Capital One Arena

WASHINGTON (7News) — The Washington Capitals will soon kick off their playoff run against the Montréal Canadiens. The first game will be on Monday at 7 p.m. and the second game will be on Wednesday night. The first two games are scheduled to take place at Capital One Arena.

It has been such an exciting season. The franchise celebrated its 50th anniversary, and superstar Alex Ovechkin is still on cloud 9 after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record of 894.

The Capitals and Union Market will host a playoff pep rally Friday night, featuring poster making, photo opportunities, a DJ, giveaways, and free prints of the GR8NESS mural by artist David Barr.

Slapshot will be hanging out with fans. The pep rally will also include discounted skating at the Capitals SkyRink, a synthetic ice rink located on the rooftop at Union Market. A complimentary pair of yellow laces in honor of Alex Ovechkin. Fans are invited to pick up free Capitals playoff lawn signs at the Medstar Capitals Iceplex and Capital One Arena Team Stores. The offer is limited to one per fan, while supplies last, during normal store hours.

All fans at the first game will receive LED light sticks and a rally towel. All fans at the second game will receive a rally towel. Caps fans are encouraged to keep an eye out across the region for the Capitals Lexus GX Weagle Wagon. The Capitals-themed car will be driving around the DMV, surprising fans with playoff tickets and other prizes.

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Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation is hosting a Capitals Playoff Auction. Featured items include a team-signed Caps Cherry Blossom jean jacket created by TKO Paintings, a Caps playoff jacket, an Alex Ovechkin player appearance-worn, autographed jersey, Ovechkin player-worn gloves, a team-signed 2025 Caps Canine Calendar, and life-size bobbleheads, among other items. The auction will open here in conjunction with the first game of the playoffs and conclude when the first round concludes. Proceeds benefit the MSE Foundation community programming.

Caps Playoff fever is everywhere. A group of third- through fifth-grade students from Montgomery County’s Brooke Grove Elementary School starred in a new music video with hockey great Peter Bondra, celebrating the Capitals' 50th Anniversary Season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The students teamed up with Paulie Z to brainstorm and create their Caps-themed song after spending time researching the history of the Capitals. Using their Chromebooks, they worked with Paulie Z to come up with the lyrics.

Once the lyrics were set, they took a field trip to the video, which was filmed at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

“The kids enjoyed visiting the Capitals' practice facility and recording the videos. They were able to let loose, be themselves, and enjoy the experience without too many strict restrictions,” said Travis Payne, Principal at Brooke Grove Elementary School. “The opportunity to free-style dance and ice skate in the video was a highlight. Most importantly, they felt like their voices and opinions were valued, utilized, and showcased.”

Fans are encouraged to cheer on the Capitals at one of several Capitals-approved bars in the DMV through Destination Game Day presented by Bud Light.

Fans can scan special table tents available at the bars with a QR code for the chance to win four tickets to a 2025-26 Capitals home game next season, player-signed items and a Capitals swag bag.

For a list of bars in the Capitals' bar network, visit here.

For those who are coming to games this playoff season, you will notice there’s a lot of construction around the arena. The construction schedule for the new Capital One Arena will occur in stages through the start of the 2027-28 NBA and NHL seasons to ensure minimal disruption to fans and the league’s schedules. The arena will remain dark in the summers between the Wizards and Capitals seasons, when the bulk of the work will be completed.

Currently, MSE is completing preparatory work, and fans will notice minimal disruptions through the end of the Capitals' season as foundational work is largely behind the scenes.