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

[417]

Not a meltdown. Just find it hilarious someone actually thinks we didn’t get manhandled physically.

Maybe I’m just not as easily tempted by low hanging fruits as you are?

 

[Captain97]

Next game, take Laine out of the PP. Put Cole back on the left. And add Ghule.

Laines hard shot being hard to handle and rebounding was crucial in the goal.

 

[sampollock]

The team is playing too soft — we need Xhekaj in the lineup. Sometimes a loss that sends a message and puts the opponent on edge is better than one like yesterday’s. At least make it hurt and injure them.

for how many years have fans said this
only when weber, Ben and Ed on the back end, did teams calm down in our zone.
habs don't have the beef on D to handle all this

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Laine himself said he had another gear for the playoffs. What we saw yesterday was same thing that's not working as we have seen for his past 10 games. Laine is not scoring being fed pucks from the same spot as he was scoring earlier and yes, when Laine is not scoring he's useless. Nobody says that about Caufield because Caufield actually backchecks and plays hard. Laine though? For whatever reason he cannot give more than that (too slow physically and mentally?). I don't think it's effort or wanting it. But he can't give you more than that, it's obvious. On a road game he's detrimental the way he is right now. On home ice once he's even more sheltered and we have last change (if the refs don't screws us over with icings), he'll make more sense.

 

[StCaufield]

The team is playing too soft — we need Xhekaj in the lineup. Sometimes a loss that sends a message and puts the opponent on edge is better than one like yesterday’s. At least make it hurt and injure them.

Do you think that everyone will grow 2 inches and 30lbs overnight? This isn’t a crash and bang team. Most aren’t. They adapted well to Washington running around

 

[le_sean]

They didn’t lose because of physicality. Montreal shit pumped them in the third and they adapted to their physicality. They’ll be fine

Correction: the 1st line shit pumped them. The rest did nothing. Like in the regular season.

 

[sampollock]

Laines hard shot being hard to handle and rebounding was crucial in the goal.

ya to blame him for the loss is cop out of why they lost.
they played well, PL even hit a couple guys

a team always has to have the 1 player that is always the fault of a loss
our fans use 92 for that rant

 

[Captain97]

The world's biggest leaf fan is agreeing with us that the reffing was bad. That's how bad it was.

 

[habinthepeg]

Laines hard shot being hard to handle and rebounding was crucial in the goal.

It also makes the PK overcommit to his side, opening up space for Hutson and Suzuki. The PP is fine the way it is. I don't know why people want to fiddle with it.

 

[Mrb1p]

Massive pass on Tuch lol. Gallagher plays a tougher game ffs

Why is that ? He's essentially Anderson but good.

 

[le_sean]

Maybe I’m just not as easily tempted by low hanging fruits as you are?

Yet you keep quoting someone you think is completely wrong.

 

[Deebs]

Physicality can come in many forms, not just punishing the opponent, which to be honest, Xhekaj doesn’t play enough for that to be a big factor when he DOES play.

The Habs aren’t going to out-muscle the Caps, that’s not a game they can or should try to play.

There might be a time for Xhekaj but it ain’t now.

I do agree that we can't divert from our strengths, it's why we're in the playoffs. We aren't all of a sudden going to become the Bruins in their heyday or Vegas....that's not the roster we are icing each game.

I'm fine if we play Arber but I also know that he's not going to deter how Washington is going to play and if anything, they'll exploit his inability to remain calm and let him take needless penalties, which is his MO.

Play smart, play fast....we are counter punchers, not knockout artists.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Same here and I can say he’s not worth what he makes and he can be lazy but this game he had nothing to do with the loss. If anything he drew a penalty that wasn’t called that led to the goal. Matheson was by far the worst player last night but whatever. Laine played well most of the game and his entire line was horrible. Laine looked like a legend compared to Demidov. The whole line was absolutely pathetic. FYI no hate on Demidov it’s almost expected with him being so green but maybe that contributed to Laine’s game. That line is a disaster

I agree, I was not blaming him for the loss I was saying any time anyone criticizes him, Laine fans take it as blaming him for the loss

He can still suck shit (and does) and not be responsible for the loss

 

[Andy]

Maybe I’m just not as easily tempted by low hanging fruits as you are?

Or even simpler than that: you do not need to overhaul a lineup just because you lose, nor does it mean any one person needs blame.

The game yesterday was very winnable. The habs played well. I do not see any immediate need to change anything especially since the players not playing currently would likely not change anything significantly.

We'll see if Washington adjusts next game, if not, the series is very winnable. I thought everyone contributed very well, including the "dreaded" Newhook line

 

[Mats NAslund]

I read just fine thanks

Switch Laine and Heineman then. 5 on 5 YES 100%

You really think that’s going to make a drastic difference? You cant have Laine and Demidov on the same line and no one to do the heavy lifting, especially in the playoffs. Heineman has that ability, Laine does not or is unwilling to his his frame to win puck battles and compete.

Again the idea that our best PP goal scorer is replaceable on the PP is ludicrous. I don't want to replace him on the PP. He's atrocious 5 on 5, so what I'm saying if he's out of the lineup he can be adequately replaced by Caufield in that spot YES - If he stays in the lineup on a 4th line you continue to use him on the PP.

Not sure if you’re actually taking stock of what you’re trying to say. No you're not taking stock of whats being written


I’d say they’ve done a pretty good job. - Umm he's had 52 games to get it going 5 on 5 and has not been able to and Montreal may only have 3 more game to get him going 5 on 5 (not talking PP here ) 5 on 5! He hasn't gotten that part of his game going since being acquired!

Look I think if the Habs want to win this series, they need an engaged Laine and there’s nothing in his game last night that suggested he was not engaged. There isn't enough time to hope and pray he suddenly finds his game at 5 on 5, that can be a project for next regular season.

He was not the problem last night, no one was, and that’s OK - I'm not putting the blame on Laine, I'm stating facts. He lacks intensity and effort. I think another player in his situation receiving a pass for a tip at center ice makes a better effort. Yes it should have been icing and if not icing a interference penalty but that doesn't change his lack of intensity.

 

[417]

Yet you keep quoting someone you think is completely wrong.

That’s because I respect people’s OPINIONS because it’s not about being right vs wrong, it’s about exchanging different perspectives without feeling personally insulted when someone doesn’t agree with you.

Like trust me, I get it, Caps players got the “highlight reel” hits that if you ignore context, suggests the Habs got ran out of the building.

I see things differently.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Or even simpler than that: you do not need to overhaul a lineup just because you lose, nor does it mean any one person needs blame.

The game yesterday was very winnable. The habs played well. I do not see any immediate need to change anything especially since the players not playing currently would likely not change anything significantly.

We'll see if Washington adjusts next game, if not, the series is very winnable. I thought everyone contributed very well, including the "dreaded" Newhook line

I think we do need to make a change to the PP, we probably win that game if it wasn’t completely anemic

 

[le_sean]

I do agree that we can't divert from our strengths, it's why we're in the playoffs. We aren't all of a sudden going to become the Bruins in their heyday or Vegas....that's not the roster we are icing each game.

I'm fine if we play Arber but I also know that he's not going to deter how Washington is going to play and if anything, they'll exploit his inability to remain calm and let him take needless penalties, which is his MO.

Play smart, play fast....we are counter punchers, not knockout artists.

It’s not like we are advocating him replacing Hutson. We are saying he should replace Struble, whose only value right now is his own physicality. He’s not offering much else right now.

 

[Habs Halifax]

This idea that Xhekaj is going to magically change the complexion of the physicality of this team against Washington is silly. Sure, you can put him in. But that doesn't mean we aren't going to continue to get manhandled. The team is built the way the team is built.

I agree with this. Xhekaj might give us a little edge in some areas but it's not going to drastically change the style we will play. If Xhekaj was actually good at using his body leverage/strength, it might matter more. However, he is still maturing in that area. We need to protect the front of the net... Monty is getting too much high danger shots. Can Xhekaj help with this without taking penalties? Sometimes, it's as simple as just being in position and not making it easy for the Caps forwards to get to the net. Physicality is important but body leverage in key areas is way more important. That's where hockey IQ kicks in.

The biggest challenge for the Habs is reducing the time in our own zone and getting the puck out with possession. It's been an on/off problem for the Habs but we are not the only team with this challenge in the playoffs.

Caps were dominate in the 1st two periods but we held them to 2 goals (2nd goal was meh... could have got the puck out the zone but we didn't). Habs clearly showed that we can compete and this has to make the Caps feel a bit nervous because we are not backing down so easily

 

[417]

I do agree that we can't divert from our strengths, it's why we're in the playoffs. We aren't all of a sudden going to become the Bruins in their heyday or Vegas....that's not the roster we are icing each game.

I'm fine if we play Arber but I also know that he's not going to deter how Washington is going to play and if anything, they'll exploit his inability to remain calm and let him take needless penalties, which is his MO.

Play smart, play fast....we are counter punchers, not knockout artists.

caps are the sledgehammer

Habs are the scalpel

Both instruments can do damage, just in a different way.

The Habs got to where they are being who they are, trying to be a team they are not might appease fans but I don’t think they stay true to themselves.

This screams of “Put Laraque on the top line with Koivu and Kovalev to counter Lucic”.

 

[Deebs]

It’s not like we are advocating him replacing Hutson. We are saying he should replace Struble, whose only value right now is his own physicality. He’s not offering much else right now.

Oh for sure, I get it and if they do make the change, I'm good with it.

For the first half of the game, our young D corps struggled with the increased speed and physicality, which had to be expected. After that, you could see them processing things a little quicker and that's the whole goal of this playoffs in my opinion. This is a learning experience that will benefit us greatly in the years to come.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It’s not like we are advocating him replacing Hutson. We are saying he should replace Struble, whose only value right now is his own physicality. He’s not offering much else right now.

I'm a fan of both Struble and Xhekaj as young D men but at the moment, Struble is better as not missing coverage.

However, Xhekaj is hungry to play so maybe this situation gets him more focused. This is way deeper than just the size and physicality he brings. We need the front of the net protected! 2 of the 3 goals were guys left open in front of Monty. That just can't happen if you want to win in the playoffs.

 

[Whitesnake]

Physicality can come in many forms, not just punishing the opponent, which to be honest, Xhekaj doesn’t play enough for that to be a big factor when he DOES play.

I saw the Caps take runs at Habs players, I also saw the Habs take runs at theirs, I saw tiny Lane Hutson rub out one of the Caps forwards when retrieving a puck deep in our zone.

He didn’t lay him out but he was physical.

The Habs aren’t going to out-muscle the Caps, that’s not a game they can or should try to play.

There might be a time for Xhekaj but it ain’t now.

I don't want Arber to take runs at players. I want him to be there so that players could get their heads up when he's on the ice. So it changes how their approach is on the ice. Hockey is also a mental sport.

Also....not sure why Arber's time wouldn't be more now than Struble.

 

[larek]

The D isnt that soft aside from Hutson and Matheson.

Its really the forward that are a combination of soft, tiny, slow and offensively inept.

We need Alex Tuch.

Its soft and small enuff
Theres no one in That crew that opp like caps are
Leary of in the physical play
Suzuki being totally assaulted by ovechnkin
No one does anything
Hutson being punched in face no o e does anything - on and on and on

 

[Andy]

I think we do need to make a change to the PP, we probably win that game if it wasn’t completely anemic

Well, the habs did score a PP goal yesterday. I am not sure how many you expect a game.

But I think the comment is fair enough. The Laine set up got stale down the stretch for sure. However, yesterday he got a number of good shots off, and the Laine set up was directly responsible for Cole's goal. It doesn't happen without that set up or Slaf parked in front of the net.

Again, I think people see L and they feel the need to change. But really, nothing went wrong yesterday. The team played well. It was an even tilt with both teams getting stretches of good play.

Generally you make changes after a L, but yesterday wasn't an embarrassing loss or the type that warrants any reaction. Again, i feel the narrative about the habs play "dominated, pushed around, slow, newhook line brutal" just doesn't match at all what the game actually was. People are stuck in their heuristics.