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

[larek]

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.

Bring his brother up too

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Laine, Demidov, and Newhook dump the puck in and expect Guhle and Hutson to get it out of the corners

a big game of "not it"

 

[Andy]

Laine, Demidov, and Newhook dump the puck in and expect Guhle and Hutson to get it out of the corners

I mean, that is just plain false. Newhook and even Laine were first on pucks multiple times yesterday on the dump in.

I swear people don't watch games. They watch the pre-defined narratives in their heads.

 

[Soaker]

Not impressed by the officiating.

 

[The Real Timo]

Yeah... not feeling any better after having slept on it... team's small, soft and has only 2 players that can generate any kind of scoring. At least Monty played decent... though would have loved for him to have one of the 3. One thing that surprised me is that Habs actually outshot the caps. Now, while that is good, I would have never guessed that if I didn't see the scorecard. High end chances though, caps probably have an edge.

 

[sampollock]

MSL wont address the hitting watch
and
if he does pezz is in

 

[417]

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.

He’s not Scott Stevens, it’s not really Xhekaj’s game either.

In fact he’s struggled the most when he overtly tries to be physical. That’s what got his ass benched in the first place because he kept chasing for hits.

He’s at his most effective when he’s sound positionally, using his body to separate the puck from the player and moving the puck quickly.

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

Struble or Xhekaj, doesn’t matter, they don’t play enough for the amount of impact people think they have on the ice.

I think the Habs lost and people just want to see changes.

But it’s also Ok to not panic…the team played a good game and it could have gone either way.

Swapping out #6 Dmen isn’t going to change the pendulum

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I wouldn't look into the stats too much there, PPs can be quite streaky and Caufield was scoring goals by will to start the season, who knows how well the PP would've held up if Laine was out the whole year (remember we also started the year with Matheson QB'ing PP1 and no one's complaining that Hutson took his place even if the basic stats aren't that much better with Hutson)? That shot is such a massive weapon we'd be just foolish not to deploy it, and who knows, maybe Laine can go on another crazy run like when he first joined the team. Elite goalscorers are streaky, and Laine is no exception to that.

We need a one timer threat on the other side. Goaltender is already set these days. Laine has to fake & pass it. Change it up.

 

[Rapala]

I have an IPTV service and was able to watch many of those KHL games and Demidov needs someone to get him the puck. I hate watching Matheson look off a wide open Demidov on the right side for the one timer. He did the same thing to Slaf last year!

Unfortunately our best solution for Demidov is tied up presently.
There is one center who can help him learn how to play the right way while being able to get him the puck on time.
There is another center who can help him to play the right way however getting him the puck on time isn't assured.
There is no quick fix.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

I mean, that is just plain false. Newhook and even Laine were first on pucks multiple times yesterday on the dump in.

I swear people don't watch games. They watch the pre-defined narratives in their heads.

how successful were they?

They are faking it for optics and just don't have the level of intensity, there's a difference between going in soft for a challenge and going in hard. A lot of players go in soft just trying to take away a passing lane and not actually trying to win the puck. Think Barron on defense.

 

[Mats NAslund]

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

Its not about making changes because you lost, it's about improving and doing better on the things you didn't do so well.

Laine struggles 5 on 5 and has all year (53 games) why is he still in a top 6 role?

Laine Newhook Demidov -

Ask yourself this

1. Who on this line will do the dirty work along the boards and get to the net
Answer: NO ONE

2. Who on this line can shoot the puck
Answer: Laine and Demidov

3. Who on this line gives a shit and is battling
Answer in order: Newhook Demidov (3 games in)....................................................................................... Laine

4. Who would you have on a top 6 line Demidov or Laine
Answer for me: Demidov

5. Who can fill the role of forechecker, win puck battles along the boards and get to the net without breaking up the Gallagher Dvorak Anderson line?
Answer for me: Heineman and Armia


This is called coaching, you don't keep a guy in 5 on 5 who has struggled for 52 regular season games in a top 6 (in the playoffs) just because his name is Laine. He's had his chance to prove himself 5 on 5 and has failed miserably.

You can keep him in the lineup and play him as a PP specialist because that where he excels.

Do you not remember the space Armia created for the line winning those puck battles , I suppose it was too successful so had to break it up right ?

or

is it because Laine cant play on a 4th line either? If this is the case he's a real liability 5 on 5 and not helping the team generate the offence they need.

You line balance on any line, Someone has to be able to get to the net and win puck battles and a line of Laine Newhook and Demidov doesn't have that element.

Someone else had suggested - (I really like this)

Armia Evans and Demidov
Laine Newhook Heineman

Both lines get that element of a Shooter and the ability to win puck battles.

 

[habsterr]

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

No, but Xhekaj sending a few Caps players to the hospital might make the team grow a pair.

 

[Soaker]

The red, white and blues boys are just black and blue now.

 

[Andy]

how successful were they?

They are faking it for optics and just don't have the level of intensity, there's a difference between going in soft for a challenge and going in hard. A lot of players go in soft just trying to take away a passing lane and not actually trying to win the puck. Think Barron on defense.

So now you went from Hutson and Guhle had to chase pucks for Newhook and Laine (implying that they didn't do it) to how successful were they? So basically, you know you were being full of it and are now just moving the goal posts?

I don't have metrics to point to, but my impression last night was that Newhook, Laine, and Demidov fought hard for loose pucks that they dumped in.

I don't think anyone here is in a position to know whether the were "faking it". Sounds like you just want to believe what you want to believe.

 

[Captain97]

No, but Xhekaj sending a few Caps players to the hospital might make the team grow a pair.

I think the teams plays with more swagger when he's there. In the regular season that can be good or bad. But if we are playing by prison rules. Max out the swagger

 

[Andy]

Its not about making changes because you lost, it's about improving and doing better on the things you didn't do so well.

Laine struggles 5 on 5 and has all year (53 games) why is he still in a top 6 role?

Laine Newhook Demidov -

Ask yourself this

1. Who on this line will do the dirty work along the boards and get to the net
Answer: NO ONE

2. Who on this line can shoot the puck
Answer: Laine and Demidov

3. Who on this line gives a shit and is battling
Answer in order: Newhook Demidov (3 games in)....................................................................................... Laine

4. Who would you have on a top 6 line Demidov or Laine
Answer for me: Demidov

5. Who can fill the role of forechecker, win puck battles along the boards and get to the net without breaking up the Gallagher Dvorak Anderson line?
Answer for me: Heineman and Armia


This is called coaching, you don't keep a guy in 5 on 5 who has struggled for 52 regular season games in a top 6 (in the playoffs) just because his name is Laine. He's had his chance to prove himself 5 on 5 and has failed miserably.

You can keep him in the lineup and play him as a PP specialist because that where he excels.

Do you not remember the space Armia created for the line winning those puck battles , I suppose it was too successful so had to break it up right ?

or

is it because Laine cant play on a 4th line either? If this is the case he's a real liability 5 on 5 and not helping the team generate the offence they need.

You line balance on any line, Someone has to be able to get to the net and win puck battles and a line of Laine Newhook and Demidov doesn't have that element.

Someone else had suggested - (I really like this)

Armia Evans and Demidov
Laine Newhook Heineman

Both lines get that element of a Shooter and the ability to win puck battles.

I don't think there is any other combination of lines that will make Newhook and Laine more productive without reducing the effectiveness of other lines that are playing well.

These are the players the team has, there is no magic combo that will turn Newhook and Laine into 5 on 5 monsters.

Right now lines 1-3-4 are playing very well. Line 2 also had a better showing than they normally had. Given how close the games was, and how well lines 1-3-4 are doing, I am not ready to break them up to get Newhook and Laine going - especially when they didnt have a bad showing.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

So now you went from Hutson and Guhle had to chase pucks for Newhook and Laine (implying that they didn't do it) to how successful were they? So basically, you know you were being full of it and are now just moving the goal posts?

I don't have metrics to point to, but my impression last night was that Newhook, Laine, and Demidov fought hard for loose pucks that they dumped in.

I don't think anyone here is in a position to know whether the were "faking it". Sounds like you just want to believe what you want to believe.

My point is that none of those 3 are able or willing to dig pucks out. Do you agree or disagree with that?

If we wanted to keep the puck during a 50/50 battle with that line on the ice, one of the defenders needed to step up into the play. This is the truth.

 

[Andy]

My point is that none of those 3 are able or willing to dig pucks out. Do you agree or disagree with that?

I disagree because all 3 were actively aggressive on the forecheck yesterday, and I saw with my own eyes Laine and Newhook win battles for loose pucks that they or their teammates dumped in.

Your point is you don't like Newhook or Laine, and don't have the maturity to admit they played decent despite not scoring. So you have to invent things that didnt happen to get a point across.

 

[teamfirst]

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.

True and we will have all summer to discuss it.......... but in the mean time we have a playoffs serie to win....... now let's discuss what kind of adjustment should be done for the next game.

I would insert X , switch Slaf and Demidov, switch Evans and Newhook and give Caufield his office back on PP1 with Demidov on the board, Laine on PP2

Would love to ear your opinion. Mr Deebs.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[417]

So now you went from Hutson and Guhle had to chase pucks for Newhook and Laine (implying that they didn't do it) to how successful were they? So basically, you know you were being full of it and are now just moving the goal posts?

I don't have metrics to point to, but my impression last night was that Newhook, Laine, and Demidov fought hard for loose pucks that they dumped in.

I don't think anyone here is in a position to know whether the were "faking it". Sounds like you just want to believe what you want to believe.

Not to mention the Caps had a lot of trouble retrieving the puck themselves because as the game went on, their forecheck became less effective.

if that’s how the Caps want to play this series, it plays into the Habs advantage IMO.

 

[habsterr]

I think the teams plays with more swagger when he's there. In the regular season that can be good or bad. But if we are playing by prison rules. Max out the swagger

Absolutely, Xhekaj was made for a playoff series like this.

 

[Saundies]

The overreactions are both funny and expected.

We got run hard in the first period, which is to be expected. We're in their rink, first game of the PLAYOFFS (not just the series) after weeks of us battling for our lives while their best players sat and took nights off. As the game went on, they stopped and we completely took over. No, it wasn't only the first line. The first line SCORED, but we handily outplayed them overall.

They essentially got gifted two goals, one on a terrible penalty call and one on one of the most obvious missed icings I've ever seen.

The sky isn't falling.

EDIT: Not missed icing, botched icing is what I meant to say.

 

[le_sean]

We need a one timer threat on the other side. Goaltender is already set these days. Laine has to fake & pass it. Change it up.

No, Laine should never pass. He can’t pass

 

[Andy]

The overreactions are both funny and expected.

We got run hard in the first period, which is to be expected. We're in their rink, first game of the PLAYOFFS (not just the series) after weeks of us battling for our lives while their best players sat and took nights off. As the game went on, they stopped and we completely took over. No, it wasn't only the first line. The first line SCORED, but we handily outplayed them overall.

They essentially got gifted two goals, one on a terrible penalty call and one on one of the most obvious missed icings I've ever seen.

The sky isn't falling.

their second goal was arguably high sticking as well and would likely have been challenged if the nhl invested in decent camera angles.