Another slow start, another furious rally, but Capitals fall short

Capitals goalie Phillip Grubauer makes a save on a shot by Montreal Canadiens center Torrey Mitchell during the second second period Wednesday. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)Braden Holtby stopped the first shot, the puck bounding off his right pad and rolling to the faceoff circle. With two bodies in front of him, the goaltender moved closer to the post for a better view, but all he saw was a black disc whizzing toward the opposite goal post, no way to get over there in time to stop it.

The goal gave the Montreal Canadiens a three-goal lead less than two minutes into the second period, making another Washington Capitals comeback unlikely. It sent Holtby to the bench and straight into…