The Washington Capitals eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in five games on Wednesday night, beating them 4-1 in both Game 5 and the first-round series.
Following a matchup full of heated moments and controversial events, the most anticipated exchange took place after the final horn and during the NHL’s famous handshake line.
After a series truly defined by physicality and chaos, two of the main antagonists—Capitals forward Tom Wilson and Canadiens winger Josh Anderson—met at center ice.
Contrary to what casual fans might have expected, however, both decided to end their playoff battle with a chest bump, smiles, a brief chat, and showing respect to each other.
Tom Wilson and Josh Anderson shake hands after going to WAR in that series 👀👏 pic.twitter.com/BklYcDBcRA
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 1, 2025
The rivalry between Wilson and Anderson was the most visible and volatile one throughout the series.
Their Game 3 fight, which spilled into the benches, symbolized the intensity both players brought to the first-round matchup.
“Things escalated, got out of control,” Anderson said. “You’re just trying to stick up for your teammates.”
After Game 5, Wilson said the series was “hard,” though he praised both Anderson and the Canadiens.
“[The series] was hard, I’ll tell you, firsthand for me,” Wilson said. “I had a lot of stuff coming my way, and they were hitting and we were hitting and I enjoyed a really exciting series.
“Those two games in Montreal, I think we’ll remember, obviously. It was a crazy atmosphere. There was fighting on the bench. There was big hits. There was two teams just giving it their all.
”But think I gained a lot of respect for that team over there. You know, they’ve got a bright future, obviously. And they competed really hard and they got a bunch a warriors.”
Wilson finished the series with five points across five games, including a goal in the clincher on Wednesday.
Many fans jumped on X to share their thoughts about the Wilson-Anderson handshake.
Mutual respect after a hard fought series. This is what I love about hockey.
— Rob Suggitt (@30G30N) May 1, 2025
“Mutual respect after a hard fought series. This is what I love about hockey.”
“This is why hockey is the best sport.”
“This is one of the things i absolutely love about hockey.”
This is why hockey is king. Men doing what they said they would do. Then not going to the media or social media acting like it was something different. NBA and NFL couldn’t understand this.
— macattack (@ejzeppelin42) May 1, 2025
“This is why hockey is king. Men doing what they said they would do. Then not going to the media or social media acting like it was something different. NBA and NFL couldn’t understand this.”
“Grew up together no hard feelings it seems hockey is unbelievable.”
“The playoff handshake line after a brutal and scrappy series just shows the respect and brotherhood that hockey brings. Wishing Savard a well deserved retirement.”
The Capitals now prepare for a second-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, with Game 1 set to take place in Washington with the final date yet to be unveiled.
Related: Alex Ovechkin Claims Controversial Moment Changed Capitals-Canadiens Series
Related: Tom Wilson Addresses Controversial Hit in Capitals-Canadiens Game 4