Series Discussion: Caps vs Canadiens de Montréal (Caps win series 4-1)

[IafrateOvie34]

First line Beau until it stops working.
Let’s see Pro and Leonard together, could be magic.

And the future!

 

[IafrateOvie34]

I don't think the idea is to leave Pro on the 3rd indefinitely, just for the next game to ease him in and let that first line keep cooking.

Pro then moves up in lots of different scenarios: Beau dries up, someone gets hurt, or Pro looks amazing and forces more ice time.

I wouldn't mind seeing him finally get PP time. Just park him in front of the net.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[RedRocking]

I understand the proposed reasoning, I just don't see it playing out that way. Protas should not have to earn his 1st line slot, and Beauvy hasn't exactly earned a lock in there when the team is fully healthy. Carbs didn't "ease" Ovi back in after 5 weeks out, he played 17 mins in his first game back. Pro has been out two weeks and isn't doing rehab, he's healing from a cut. Ovi didn't have to spend time on the 3rd line, why would Pro?

Beauvy has played well, no doubt. I guess for me it boils down to how much 5/5 time do we want Beauvy to play vs Pro, and I can't think of any reason why Pro shouldn't get much more time, even in his first game back.

I dunno, they’ve struggled to find someone that plays well with 8 and 17 at 5v5. Carbs has switched Pro and Willy in and out that spot all season. But, nothing has been consistent or that great. Maybe Pro before Ovi broke his leg. Beau is hot right now in that spot, so you gotta leave him there.

Pro can go on the Dubois line - don’t really care. Playing with Eller makes sense if they want to ease him back in (if it’s a pain tolerance issue skating). I really wish Mikey at 3C was an option, but that’s beating a dead horse at this point.

The odd man out is Raddysh or Mangi. I might actually take out Mangi - even against a smaller team, he gets erased from the play routinely

 

[ovikovy817]

MTL has the last change for the next 2 games, needs to see against who the will play their top line.

 

[tycoonheart]

Video in below shows McMichael with what looks like an ice treatment on right knee. (30 seconds in.) Just an observation, haven't seen or heard any indications of injury.



For those without the shitter:
View attachment 1021696

Pretty boy Sam Hartman in the house

 

[Random schmoe]

Pretty boy Sam Hartman in the house

"How did the third string practice squad QB get into this" was definitely a question that went through my mind.

Charisma matters.

 

[crab]

I think they will keep Beauvillier with Strome and Ovechkin. Put Protas on the 2nd to match up against Habs top line and drop McMichael to third and Mangie to 4th. Raddysh scratch.

 

[stephenball]

I think they will keep Beauvillier with Strome and Ovechkin. Put Protas on the 2nd to match up against Habs top line and drop McMichael to third and Mangie to 4th. Raddysh scratch.

I think this is a pretty realistic scenario

 

[DWGie26]

I don’t think you mess with top 6. Both lines are playing well.

For me Protas goes to 3LW because I think that will be great for Leonard. Makes that line more dynamic. I’d leave Raddysh as the righty on forth line. But wouldn’t hate if it is Mangi there. Depth is a Good problem to have.

 

[Block]

I like that the league is conspiring to help the Caps because of the market size.

 

[Portable Mink]

My default thought was Pro on the 3rd line as I also love the idea of Pro flicking passes to Lenny from the boards to go 1v1 against a D in tight. Think there is huge potential there.

Against the match ups though - protect the net first on the road and that means not allowing Suzuki to go head to head against Strome without support. That line is the worst type of line for Ovi to personally face at this stage of his career.

I’m going Pro with Ovi and Beauty to third.
I’m also assessing how AA is feeling and thinking longer term and if Mack needs to come in for a game to help heal up AA’s face, I’d be fine with that.

Also gives a bit of insurance should WiFi come in and keep our gun Willy away from any required fisticuffs so early in the playoffs.

 

[DWGie26]

My default thought was Pro on the 3rd line as I also love the idea of Pro flicking passes to Lenny from the boards to go 1v1 against a D in tight. Think there is huge potential there.

Against the match ups though - protect the net first on the road and that means not allowing Suzuki to go head to head against Strome without support. That line is the worst type of line for Ovi to personally face at this stage of his career.

I’m going Pro with Ovi and Beauty to third.
I’m also assessing how AA is feeling and thinking longer term and if Mack needs to come in for a game to help heal up AA’s face, I’d be fine with that.

Also gives a bit of insurance should WiFi come in and keep our gun Willy away from any required fisticuffs so early in the playoffs.

I’m good with what Alexeyev is doing. No need to move him out. But like to see him play more minutes per game. Hopefully he’ll earn that as he gains more trust from coaches.

 

[Portable Mink]

Yeah I’m totally fine with him so far. But he’d be very uncomfortable and it’s hard enough him coming in very underdone from a game time perspective. We have the luxury that we can do something like that - so just speculating on options.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

When BigPro returns:

Ovi - Strome - Protas
CMM - PLD - Wilson
Beauvillier - Eller - Leonard
Duhaime - Dowd - Mangiapane

 

[Midnight Judges]

Clearly Protas gives you all sorts of good options. I bet Carbs mixes it up some to control playing time.

 

[stephenball]

I’d prefer having a dinged up AA missing half his face on the ice instead of McIlrath. No offense to Big Mac, I just think he’s not an NHL caliber D-man and think AA is.

 

[Corby78]

Well whatever the lineup the caps need to be ready. Not only are all the lower seeds playing better in game 3s (not unexpected) but Montreal was much better this year at home with the last change. Which makes sense with their lineup and needing to keep their top line up against a weaker defense lineup.

 

[TheSmokingMan]

With the series going back to Montreal, Habs fans are completely focused on being physically dominated. First they wanted the Refs to save them, now they think Xhekaj is going to magically make the Caps stop bullying them. The media keeps poking MSL in his press conferences about the Habs being pushed around. It seems like the Caps physical game has become a preoccupation with the entire city of Montreal.

Bell Centre is going to be a hard place to play. The fans are definitely going to give the Canadiens a boost, but it's a knife that cuts both ways. The media there is just as hard on the team as Toronto media and the fans have unrealistic expectations. It's possible that the energy from the fans spurs the Habs to victory, but I think it's just as likely that they collapse under the pressure and scrutiny. The next 2 games could potentially have a lopsided scoresheet.

 

[Blades of Steel]

Again, weather the storm early and keep hitting when possible. Come out of that early rush by the crabs unscathed and the Caps will be fine.

 

[DWGie26]

I image Montreal will come out flying and trying to hit. If they some hard with forecheck it will hopefully open up lanes. An early goal for caps is important. Neuter them quickly and sway the crowd!

 

[Kolzilla]

I don’t think you mess with top 6. Both lines are playing well.

For me Protas goes to 3LW because I think that will be great for Leonard. Makes that line more dynamic. I’d leave Raddysh as the righty on forth line. But wouldn’t hate if it is Mangi there. Depth is a Good problem to have.

If you want the best sum gain for each line, I think Protas with Leonard could really bolster that line and make it a threat. I like this idea.

 

[zappa4ever]

I image Montreal will come out flying and trying to hit. If they some hard with forecheck it will hopefully open up lanes. An early goal for caps is important. Neuter them quickly and sway the crowd!

Anderson's shown he doesn't have the self-control so hope he gives WSH another PP or 3, if they want to go heavy, bring it!
The less they focus on speed the better
They've revealed they're a one line team so pound the stars and boom shakalaka

 

[Liam Smith]

Sounds like Xhekaj is in tonight for MTL.

 

[tenken00]

Sounds like Xhekaj is in tonight for MTL.

This is like setting down the cheese on the trap, and seeing Montreal come to take the bait almost immediately lol.