Liveblog: Watch Arber Xhekaj drop the gloves, Habs lead Caps 2-0

The Montreal Canadiens (26-14-6) will look to test just how far they’ve come in the Eastern Conference pecking order when they take on the Washington Capitals (23-17-6) on Tuesday at Capital One Arena.

Puck drop at 7 p.m. (TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM).

Here’s what you need to know.

In their first game against each other since last spring’s first round matchup, the Capitals breezed to an 8-4 victory. Alexander Ovechkin scored a hat trick.

Samuel Montembeault gets the start in goal. He is undefeated in three starts since returning from a conditioning assignment in Laval.

Josh Anderson (upper-body injury) returns for the Canadiens.

Kaiden Guhle is out, Jayden Struble is in on defence.

Stay tuned to this page for updates and game highlights throughout the evening. You can also keep the conversation going over on our livestream on the Hockey Inside Out YouTube channel.

Josh Anderson, in his first game back from injury, scored a shorthanded goal to give Montreal a 1-0 lead.

In the second period, Phil Danault set up Brendan Gallagher for his fourth goal of the season. The Habs veteran needed it.

After Jayden Struble was sent into the boards by Dylan McIlrath, Arber Xhekaj defended his teammate by dropping the gloves for a lengthy bout with the Capitals enforcer.

Liveblog: Watch Arber Xhekaj drop the gloves, Habs lead Caps 2-0

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