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

[Lshap]

Most of us saw the same thing:
- Habs totally overwhelmed the 1st period
- Slowly adapting in the 2nd
- Dominated the 3rd.

What will we see for game-2? A more confident Habs roster that, hopefully, isn't cowed by Washington's physicality and can take it to them through the neutral zone. Washington will also adapt, naturally, although I don't know what else they can throw at our kids (hit them... more...?). You can only finish so many checks so hard for so long until it takes as much a toll on you. If the game settles into skill vs. skill, Montreal can wear them down with speed.

Big Question: How much can our kids figure things out in the next couple of games, before the series is over? Let's hope the 3rd period was a sign of things to come...

I get why Xhekaj isn't in. Yes, his physicality would be a good response to the Caps, however we all know it usually comes with a couple of extra penalties we cannot afford to take. For all the shit Savard gets, he almost always makes the right play, which was essential against the Caps' strong possession game.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

This. Dude needs to get benched or at the very most play like 8 minutes on the 4th line to minimize the damage he's doing on ES. However our PP is a lot worse without his ridiculous shot so I guess we just have to dress him, it's just too important when one goal at the right time can make all the difference. Give Heineman a chance with Demidov, at least he plays with tenacity and has a cannon of a shot on top of that.

Actually our PP was better before Laine joined it. We were top 15. Then he went on that crazy PP run when he first joined which briefly put it in top 10, but by end of season it was down to 21st. It's been brutal for awhile.

 

[David Suzuki]

When I saw Laine-Newhook-Demidov-Hutson-Guhle taking that D zone faceoff I told my dad ''that's not who you want taking a faceoff in the D-zone in OT, this could end here.'' it was over 3 seconds after I said that. I am sorry guys. My bad.

marty should be fired for not changing

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Was he drafted a year ahead?

He was drafted two years before Slafkovsky.

Byfield 2020. Slafkovsky 2022.

However due to the Covid years, LAK were able to play him in AHL rather than send him back to junior at 18. He played one full season in AHL & parts of 2 others.

Last year was Byfield's first full NHL season (no AHL games). He had 55 points. Slafkovsky had 50 points.

This year Byfield had 54 points. Slafkovsky 51.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Remember when Caufield tried to avoid contact, lost his balance, and was tossed in the corner.

Poor guy.

Not sure what the habs are going to do with these slow starts but the trend has turned into a habit. The difference between period 1 and 3 is astronomical.

I thought Suzuki was the best player on the ice, Monty was the better goalie, but there d was night and day better than our d tonight. Probably the worst game from them as a whole in a long, long time. They need to be better and I hope we don’t see guhle hutson again. Split them up and give them 23 minutes a night each.

Caufield getting pasted was inevitable. We knew it would happen and will happen again. All it did was piss him off.

Caos did a great job of pressuring us and taking away space. They played a great game. But Caufield still found a way to create last night. He got criticized a lot but I thought he was our best forward. Created plays even when the Caps were the better team, had three good chances, scored a goal. Really tough night but he played well.

Montie was easily our best player last night. Things really could’ve gotten out of hand in the first and he was really steady.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

But don't worry. This was the first game. The first game for Slafkovsky, Hutson, Guhle, Demidov and Struble in the NHL PO. Caps have an experienced team, they know where to stand in what situation, when to pass, hold the puck. In addition, they have aggressive players. And especially Ovechkin. He's having a perfect season this season, he believes in himself. Remember his PO from two years ago, he played awful. Now he's a completely different player.

And Newhook... it's easy to criticize him. But he's not a classic center, more of a wing, unlike Suzuki, Evans and Dvorak who are classic centers. Besides, he's only 24 years old. Plus, playing with an injured player and a rookie who needs to get used to the PO.

If Newhook could refine his game just a little, he’d be a great 2nd line player. To me, he’s bottom six. If he improves, great. But this was his audition and he basically showed himself as a depth scorer.

 

[Hannibal]

Our defence is small and soft.

Napoleon better take his head off his ass and free Xhekaj.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Demidov should not have talked.

Woke the beast in Ovie.

You think his tongue is out like Jordan’s is a coincidence? Same mentality there, don’t give him fire

To be fair to Demidov, he can barely speak English.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

I was an icing, so they had no choice

I know, but that's still not who you want taking a D zone faceoff in OT. I am not criticizing St-Louis, just stating a fact.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

marty should be fired for not changing

I knew when I wrote that people would take it as me criticizing St-Louis... sigh

 

[Habs Icing]

Most of us saw the same thing:
- Habs totally overwhelmed the 1st period
- Slowly adapting in the 2nd
- Dominated the 3rd.

What will we see for game-2? A more confident Habs roster that, hopefully, isn't cowed by Washington's physicality and can take it to them through the neutral zone. Washington will also adapt, naturally, although I don't know what else they can throw at our kids (hit them... more...?). You can only finish so many checks so hard for so long until it takes as much a toll on you. If the game settles into skill vs. skill, Montreal can wear them down with speed.

Big Question: How much can our kids figure things out in the next couple of games, before the series is over? Let's hope the 3rd period was a sign of things to come...

I get why Xhekaj isn't in. Yes, his physicality would be a good response to the Caps, however we all know it usually comes with a couple of extra penalties we cannot afford to take. For all the shit Savard gets, he almost makes the right play, which was essential against the Caps' strong possession game.

You may have forgotten the word "always" in that phrase. If not that's a pretty damning comment on Savard.

This is not a knock on MSL but I think the Habs' slow starts are because they have not been properly prepared. The coaching staff, however, eventually makes the right adjustments during the game.

I don't think I agree with your take that the Habs' speed will wear down the Caps. Washington can match and probably overtake the Habs' speed. What instigated that 2nd half comeback in last night's game, and for the most part during the season, is that the coaches spotted the opponent's tendencies and told the players how to exploit them. The coaching staff, however, gets it's start of the game strategy wrong.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Dogshit reffing tonight. Caufield got hit with the same hit Guhle did against Chicago, no call.

Demidov hit by Leonard without the puck, flying in the air, no call.

Gallagher got hit with a crosscheck right in the mouth, no call.

Suzuki gets 3 crosscheck after the whistle, no call.

There was so much f***ing stuff that wasn't called that I just stopped trying to remember them.

Refs are f***ing gutless. It's pathetic. It's a f***ing epidemic in every single f***ing sports right now and it's destroying the game we love.

Playoff hockey. Refs put the whistles away. We just need to adjust.

Penalties aren’t coming unless it’s blatant.

 

[David Suzuki]

Playoff hockey. Refs put the whistles away. We just need to adjust.

Penalties aren’t coming unless it’s blatant.

unless guhle touches a guy in a scrum then it’s a penalty

 

[CzarDemidov]

We need unlikely heroes, who will be Game 2's hero...

If you had to choose: Dvorak, Newhook, Armia, Heineman, or Savard?

 

[The Real Guy Lafleur]

 

[CHGoalie27]

Caufield getting pasted was inevitable. We knew it would happen and will happen again. All it did was piss him off.

Caos did a great job of pressuring us and taking away space. They played a great game. But Caufield still found a way to create last night. He got criticized a lot but I thought he was our best forward. Created plays even when the Caps were the better team, had three good chances, scored a goal. Really tough night but he played well.

Montie was easily our best player last night. Things really could’ve gotten out of hand in the first and he was really steady.

This team would be completely unstoppable if they could tune up the net front defense.

And as for the refs, it was bad but for both sides. That Anderson trip non call in the first...man I'm literally the biggest Samuel Montembeault fan on the planet but i give the refs true credit for keeping that 1st period WSH momentum to a manageable point for MTL with that horrific non call and a couple others.

But yeah holy shit, how bout that Habs gardien!
They gave Thompson his 2nd star, because the other team left Ovechkin open twice while he faced similar amount of shots but nowhere the same amount of pressure as Sam with Savard and Hutson looking more like Matheson. I expect a different look next game...wait now that i think about it... i never thought to ask all this time- do the Habs even have a defense coach cuz...??

Anyway keeping it positive, this team just doesn't quit and hasn't for months. No matter the outcomes, errors and all, please be proud of these guys and enjoy this. Most fanbases can't say the same, incl. half the other playoff teams.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Playoff hockey. Refs put the whistles away. We just need to adjust.

Penalties aren’t coming unless it’s blatant.

Like the Guhle call in the scrum in the first ? I mean..... Guhle barely did anything and a scrum were mangiapane was running around hitting people in the face all Guhle did was try to separate him from Hutson who stood there taking punches to the face. It's a joke we ended up on the PK after that whole sequence.

 

[David Suzuki]

View attachment 1019867

is this real?

 

[rickthegoon]

You knew right from the start of the game the refs were atrocious when Gallagher was cross checked in the face 4 feet away from the ref who was looking at the play and that didn’t draw a penalty.
Caps 1st goal on a power play because Ghule got a penalty for trying to peel away a guy who was punching Hutson in the face right in front of a ref. That stupid call against Ghule gave the Caps the lead.
It was clear the game would be a succession of bad decisions by the referees.
To be honest, they did go blind for a few plays we also should have been penalized.
I thought our first line were up to a slow start, but when they got the jitters out, they actually had a solid game ; they are the real deal and I have no worries about them ….they definitely are playoff beasts.
Dvorak’s line didn’t hurt us,they hustled all night and Anderson played as advertised with his solid forechecking.
Same with Evan’s line, I really liked Armia’s game. He was solid along the boards and won most of his battles along the boards in the offensive zone.
On defense, Hutson was amazing as usual,and contrary to a lot of posters here, I thought Carrier was also excellent…..Ghule was hot and cold all night. He was clearly targeted and tested all night. He made some great plays, but looked shaky a few times.
Matheson was Matheson ( a few good offensive plays overshadowed by a ton of scary looking defensive plays and dangerous giveaways)

Savard was ok, he didn’t hurt us, and actually made a few ‘elite’ defensive plays during the 2nd and 3rd period.
Struble was a non factor, I thought he had many chances to punish physically Caps player but he was too soft for a playoff game. I still think not playing Xhekaj for the last couple of weeks of the season is a mistake , and now St-Louis wont trust him enough to bring him into the lineup.
Now for the Newhook line…..ouffffff…. What a mess! What should be your 2nd offensive line was a disaster. Newhook looked like a dear , Laine put on a pitiful performance and I dont think Demidov actually had the puck once on his stick in the offensive zone.
That non official 2nd line actually played less than what should be your 4th line and still finished the game with a whopping -2 for each of the guys.
St-Louis has to adjust quick, Xhekaj needs to play and Demidov has to be given opportunities away from Newhook and Laine.
As a whole, I liked our game, the kids are definitely gamers and none of the guys we consider our core for the future crumbled under pressure.

 

[SallyBalls]

I’m with the other posters — Arby has to play. Struble sits. He’s only getting 14 minutes a night and for this series, he’s expendable. We need the nuclear deterrent in the lineup. Yeah, Struble’s cleaner in general play, but Arby brings that raw, nasty edge. He can make his presence felt — rattle some cages, set a tone. We're not losing much by making that switch.

Savard stays. He’s a better than Struble on the pk and brings the vet grit we need out there.

The real puzzle? How the f*** do we unlock Demidov? He needs touches. Maybe pairing him with Evans opens things up — lets him find space and actually hold the puck for more than two seconds. We just need to do it without blowing up the rest of the lines. Tough ask — this one’s a real brain-bender.

Laine? Look, he’s been straight-up dogshit lately. But last night, he showed a pulse. Finally threw some hits, showed some effort. He’ll never be a bruiser, but at least he looked like he gave a shit. That said — the zero chemistry on the Newhook + Laine + Demidov line is a serious concern. It’s clunky, disjointed, and borderline unwatchable.

Still — I liked our trajectory. We got stronger every period. That bullshit icing call killed us, but we were generating enough to take that game. And I’m backing us to bounce back. The kids will have their nerves out of the way, and we’ll be ready to punch back at the Caps’ heavy style.

We take the next game.

LET’S f***ING GO.

 

[Hannibal]

Most of us saw the same thing:
- Habs totally overwhelmed the 1st period
- Slowly adapting in the 2nd
- Dominated the 3rd.

What will we see for game-2? A more confident Habs roster that, hopefully, isn't cowed by Washington's physicality and can take it to them through the neutral zone. Washington will also adapt, naturally, although I don't know what else they can throw at our kids (hit them... more...?). You can only finish so many checks so hard for so long until it takes as much a toll on you. If the game settles into skill vs. skill, Montreal can wear them down with speed.

Big Question: How much can our kids figure things out in the next couple of games, before the series is over? Let's hope the 3rd period was a sign of things to come...

I get why Xhekaj isn't in. Yes, his physicality would be a good response to the Caps, however we all know it usually comes with a couple of extra penalties we cannot afford to take. For all the shit Savard gets, he almost makes the right play, which was essential against the Caps' strong possession game.

Look at Struble’s game last night, and his advanced stat sheet. Dont try to tell me his better than X in that physical series.

 

[ahmedou]

Canadiens All-time playoff overtime record: 88-67-3 (43-38-2 as road team)

Capitals All-time playoff overtime record: 32-43 (16-20 as home team)

 

[Rapala]

It is what it is, the icing itself didn't cause the goal either way.

Players who can't forget and keep dwelling on the past are bound for failure.

It was a terrible play after the faceoff by everyone involved, all 6 on the ice.

Yeah a scrambled draw like that should not end up in your net 2 seconds later. It started with Demidov missing the puck on a fly by and it got worse from there.

 

[Lshap]

You may have forgotten the word "always" in that phrase. If not that's a pretty damning comment on Savard.

This is not a knock on MSL but I think the Habs' slow starts are because they have not been properly prepared. The coaching staff, however, eventually makes the right adjustments during the game.

I don't think I agree with your take that the Habs' speed will wear down the Caps. Washington can match and probably overtake the Habs' speed. What instigated that 2nd half comeback in last night's game, and for the most part during the season, is that the coaches spotted the opponent's tendencies and told the players how to exploit them. The coaching staff, however, gets it's start of the game strategy wrong.

Lol... I totally did forget "always". Sorry, David.

Montreal's notoriously weak 1st periods remind me of a decade ago, when we had notoriously weak 3rd periods. Back then, it was the opposite – Habs took the lead early but blew it later in the game. I remember the players being asked about it. Their response (paraphrasing): "We know we ease up. It's not like the coaches aren't telling us to keep pushing. It's a subconscious thing we have to solve."

It's probably the same subconscious problem now. I doubt the coaches are unaware of how often they come out looking sluggish. Hopefully, it's something solved with maturity. And, hopefully, that maturity kicks in soon...!

 

[Mats NAslund]

That icing call was horseshit. If he didn't touch the puck isn't it interference?

You’re 100% right at the very least the icing is waved off if the puck is deemed playable. The fact that the caps D made zero attempt at the puck but cross checks Laine in the back which arrived at the same time as the puck (similar to the Ghule hit) only difference is there wasn’t a big hit but it’s still interference!

Now that being said ……

Struble played 14 minutes and Savard played 12. One of these 2 need to come out of the lineup and Xhekaj needs to be in.

Neither was horrible but neither stepped up, Ghule, Caufield, Hutson, Gallagher Demidov all took heavy big hits with not one forward or D repaying the caps for those hits.

If I’m MSL Laine sits, he’s absolutely useless and replaceable by Caufield and or Demidov for that one timer on the PP.

Caufield Suzuki Demidov
Heinemen Newhook Slaf
Anderson Dvorak Gallagher
Armia Evans A. Xhekaj

Xhekaj’s mandate is to get puck deep in the corners and finish his hits on their D.

He doesn’t have to get a regular shift but just being in the lineup will keep the caps a little more honest ! 7 to 10 minutes of ice.

Demidov needs guys that can keep
Up with him, he’s constantly open on PP2 and Matheson looks him off all the time like he did with Slaf last year and Newhook just isn’t at Demidov speed of execution.

Suzuki and Caufield play at that same pace and I think it’s a perfect fit.

Heineman adds the aspects Laine lacks
Speed, hard forecheck and still has a very good shot!

This is a no brainer but MSL doesn’t have the balls!

Kudos to Montambeault
Best game I’ve watched from him, confident and under control.

He was unlucky on all 3 goals

1st a high stick that’s hits him which then becomes a live puck and Struble not following his man to the net.

2nd Ovi shot he would have had easily if dum dumb Savard stands up to block the shot taking the shooting lane away rather than turning sideways with one leg down.

Puck hits him and deflects in!

OT goal Hutson loses his man combined with Ghule being in no man’s land.

Ovi bats the puck out of the air.

If Montreal continues to get that type of goaltending and cleans up the man to man defence they have a real shot in this series!