Pre-Game Talk: 2025 Playoff Round 1 - Game #1 : Montreal at Washington. Monday April 21st

[Vachon23]

I have Washington in 6

Hope I’m wrong

 

[StCaufield]

As soon as we are up 1 in any game Demidov will sit

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Bombshell11]

I have Washington in 6

Hope I’m wrong

You’re generous

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Check the 1986 Habs when they won the Cup.

Montreal Canadiens 1985-86 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com

The roster, scoring and goaltender statistics for the 1985-86 Montreal Canadiens playing in the NHL.

www.hockeydb.com

By the numbers listed there, the average age both reg season and playoffs was around 24. Must be close to the youngest team ever to win the Cup with a young Patrick Roy in net.

Yeah, there were 6 rookies on that team & a bunch of sophomores. It had a bunch of veteran players like Robinson & Gainey. It was a good mix.

 

[Theodore450]

Oh no man... healthy as in able to play, but clearly not healthy. Suzuki, Hutson and most visibly Armia are not 100%. Neither is Anderson. I am pretty sure Gally is playing through something and I would even venture that Heineman still not 100%. It's great they have 4 fulls days before playoffs to get some healing massages for the body and soul.

I know what you mean, but i expected Guhle to be fully out and our first line to take a hit.

Armia looked much better last night.
Heineman also looked good.
Hutson and Caufield didn’t get hurt.

This means that our team will learn from this playoff experience together. All teams are banged up, and we didn’t limp in either.

Like yeah we’re missing Dach, but that’s a straight up distraction now.
Newhook and Dvorak are playing much better now that their roles are defined.

 

[rickthegoon]

In August I predicted on this board that the Habs would sneak in with 92pts ; I was off by 1 point, but got the ‘sneaking in’ part right.
I am extremely proud of this group of young men, and can’t wait to see who rises to the occasion.
This playoffs experience for this young group will be transformative.

Can’t wait to see Slaf sport his new bleach blonde hair
Can’t wait to see Hutson try to grow a beard
Can’t wait to see which sleeping forward pull a Rene Bourque special edition and becomes a playoff beast.
Fun times my friends !

 

[rickthegoon]

OT but would you believe that in my 57 years of existence living in Quebec I never ate a poutine ? Not sure why it doesn't tempt me even though I like all of its ingredients individually

No worries, I never ate pate chinois but love hamburgers, mashed potatoes and corn

 

[Benstheman]

On paper Washington has the better team.
However they have been playing badly since Ovie record.

Demidov Hutson will need their A game.

We need to get our PP on track. I would definitely replace Laine with Demidov.

 

[Skip Bayless]

This team is too green to make any noise in the playoffs + they are physically and mentally cooked, so I'm expecting a no opposition type of playoff series. Maybe they win a game, but not expecting much.

Still, good experience for the kids, now they know what it takes to be at this level.

 

[rickthegoon]

Now all we need is for Graig Button to say we have no business being there like he said in the first 3 rounds of the 2021 playoffs .

 

[morhilane]

The next 4 days are going to be long for fans.

 

[Kennerback]

You know who can't believe their luck? Canadian media. The Habs in the playoffs, the Battle of Ontario, etc... The stories will write themselves.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Just woke up, it’s still real

Let’s f***ing go

 

[the]

We need to win game 1 like this.

 

[Justin11]

F it…voted with my heart.

 

[Benstheman]

This team is too green to make any noise in the playoffs + they are physically and mentally cooked, so I'm expecting a no opposition type of playoff series. Maybe they win a game, but not expecting much.

Still, good experience for the kids, now they know what it takes to be at this level.

Exactly the angle I take it.

We played a lot of big meaningful games on the late part of the season and now we're getting at least 4 playoffs games. It's all gravy for me.

The best part is the guys will get a big boost next season with full time Demidov, maybe a 2C to play with him and Reinbacher on the backend to replace Savard.

 

[Frenchy]

Demidov in 6

 

[WeThreeKings]

Capitals are a veteran team so they can flip a switch but they've basically been emotionally exhausted and disengaged since Ovi broke the record. They're vulnerable. We just need to find new energy. Hope the 4 day rest is enough.

 

[Kennerback]

In August I predicted on this board that the Habs would sneak in with 92pts ; I was off by 1 point, but got the ‘sneaking in’ part right.
I am extremely proud of this group of young men, and can’t wait to see who rises to the occasion.
This playoffs experience for this young group will be transformative.

Can’t wait to see Slaf sport his new bleach blonde hair
Can’t wait to see Hutson try to grow a beard
Can’t wait to see which sleeping forward pull a Rene Bourque special edition and becomes a playoff beast.
Fun times my friends !

I’ll have checked off the last item of my bucket list if we get Slaf Ric-Flair-style interviews!

 

[shamrun]

On the suzuki goal last night slaf actually threw a minor hit on the canes player. Not earth shattering but that hit took that player out of the play for a second allowing slaf to win the puck and pass it off. He will need to be doing this rinse repeat.

 

[Rapala]

I'd be laughing so hard if someone told me this in October.

Why do you think I'm eating Crow in the Positivity thead. I said something like "I'm positive they won't make the post season"

 

[Goblin]

I think the first game might be rough, but I expect the guys to adapt and win a couple. Part of me also thinks that Washington was a little bit a flash in the pan this year. I think Habs lose in 7.

 

[GordonGraham]

So no series schedule yet this is so bush league, should have been up 5 minutes after the game ended

 

[Rapala]

I like that. It would give the team 4 days off. Long enough to heal some, but not long enough to not stay sharp.

They can practice for the Caps.

This team has responded extremely well to every break they've had.
Look at our record coming off the Christmas break and we all know about our four Nations transformation.