Post-Game Talk: Capitals win game 1, lead series 1-0

[The Last Red]

I don't think Habs are the team to do it but based on tonight, I can't see the Cape faring well against a team built to win. They got pretty fortunate on their goals tonight and basically stopped playing once the Habs got a goal.

And Logan Thompson is ass.

 

[HabbyGuy]

What we are playing with House Money...

Too bad it's only a "toonie"

Toonie is still worth far more than the "2 cents" in the GDT's

 

[That Habs Fan]

It's becoming clear we need two top 6 players to play with Demidov. HuGo have some work to do this summer. If only Dach could stay healthy...

 

[expy]

Montembault Derangement Syndrome.

That could explain those 3 goals.

 

[Habsawce]

Demidov didn't play well the whole time in that game, even with Armia. Once the defenders took more notice of him, he was in trouble. The same thing happened at the end of the season in SKA, that's why he didn't play. And he didn't show much in this game either.

No pretension, he is young, needs experiences.

Btw, only in this line center is a winger.

He looked nervous and tentative. I bet he'll be a load better in game 2.

 

[The Great Weal]

The shots from danger zones were 10-2 for Washington after 2 periods. We didn't test Thompson much until the 3rd. Galley mentioned he was overplaying his rebounds. We'll see if Habs coaches and pro scouts picked up on anything.

Thompson wasn't good at all. Hopefully that 3rd period broke the dam offensively, the 1st line looked dominant again.

 

[Balthazar]

It’s literally impossible to play with Laine and Newhook, 5 on 5. You put anyone there and they become useless. But there’s no solution. Just grin and bear it.

Demidov was put in a position to fail. There's no real center on that line and the other winger is a liability at 5v5.

 

[MXD]

That could explain those 3 goals.

You can't possibly explain and/or understand anything.
But you do have Montembeault Derangement Syndrome.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Laine will be the most concerning even more than Newhook going forward.

Just not sure how you use a guy so disinterested at 5 on 5. Newhook at least competes for ice, Laine its Armia level variance of off and on intensity

 

[TRG]

Without the playmaking ability

He's a Temu Scott Gomez then.

 

[The Last Red]

Laine will be the most concerning even more than Newhook going forward.

Just not sure how you use a guy so disinterested at 5 on 5. Newhook at least competes for ice, Laine its Armia level variance of off and on intensity

Both are useless.

 

[Rapala]

I don't think Habs are the team to do it but based on tonight, I can't see the Cape faring well against a team built to win. They got pretty fortunate on their goals tonight and basically stopped playing once the Habs got a goal.

When the game got faster we played better it took a goal to get us moving.
That was always going to be the only way to beat them. Had them on their heels just couldn't get that third one.

 

[NobleSix]

Demidov was put in a position to fail. There's no real center on that line and the other winger is a liability at 5v5.

100%.

Saddled with a guy who's legs dont work and a guy who's brain doesn't work.

Poor kid.

 

[TeacherMan]

Second line is brutal. They don't bring anything positive to the team

 

[donghabs98]

And Logan Thompson is ass.

We can get to him. He looks to move the puck too quickly and if we can get him moving he tends to overcommit.

 

[StCaufield]

Pretty proud of them tonight honestly. They showed a lot of heart out there so I’m actually pretty happy. I know they have a chance against overrated Washington

 

[HabsMD97]

This is too much to ask from Demidov, jumping from the KHL to the NHL playoffs against the top team in the East. The jump in speed is MASSIVE. I don't expect much from him this playoffs, but it'll be a good learning experience.
One positive to note though is he didn't seem outmatched physically. The only problem with him is the speed of the game, but we know that it won't be a problem in his career and it's only a problem because of the adjustment period.

 

[VT]

By the way, I don't deny Laine's mistake during the icing.

 

[Tyson]

Second line is brutal. They don't bring anything positive to the team

I feel for young Demidov, playing on a dysfunctional line like that won't help his confidence.

 

[LV426]

Can someone with knowledge answer this. Do the refs have a boss who reviews their performance each night. Those guys should know every f***ing call they missed and strive to do better. Bush league that it wasn't called an icing at the end. If they have any pride in their work they'd want to not make that mistake again.

The ref watching the interference on Demidov was comical.

 

[le_sean]

Also would like to know why the 2nd line got a shift in OT before the 4th line which was actually playing well all game.

 

[Apoplectic Habs Fan]

Both are useless.

Newhook could be useable at 5 on 5 and should learn PK, which is a MSL utter failure not having him take reps

Laine is useless literally 52 minutes a night

 

[The Last Red]

Second line is brutal. They don't bring anything positive to the team

There is no second line. HuGo have some work to do this summer.

 

[Rapala]

It's becoming clear we need two top 6 players to play with Demidov. HuGo have some work to do this summer. If only Dach could stay healthy...

He played like he still had jet lag. He'll get better.

 

[MXD]

Laine will be the most concerning even more than Newhook going forward.

Just not sure how you use a guy so disinterested at 5 on 5. Newhook at least competes for ice, Laine its Armia level variance of off and on intensity

See, I think he was pretty good tonight, at least in the first two periods. Don't care about the -2 since it's not like he had much to do -- especially the 2nd goal. But then again, my expectations are super low.

Laine at least has the skill required to play on a 2nd line. Newhook doesn't. And he doesn't have the size. And he doesn't have a great checking/defensive game either to somewhat compensate.

I'd really like to see Heineman get a legit shot on the Top-6 at some point, especially if we can get an second center as I don't think Dach can't be assuredly counted upon to deliver next season. Granted, he'd be something of a plug there, but there's too much skill in there to peg him already in the 4th line role. He has decent size, too.