Game 86: Caps @ Cans

[tenken00]

If it's any consolation, we also struggled mightily in the first round against the Blue Jackets during the Cup run as well.

In fact, the whole East run was a struggle for us. Interestingly, it was only in the Stanley Cup finals itself where we really didn't struggle all that much.

 

[kicksavedave]

Dump and chase will not bring a victory.

It will lead to more opportunities later.

 

[Neil Racki]

Better but that was like a C game from us

Keep being smart disciplined

We win this in the 3rd

 

[Calicaps]

MTL blocking so many shots. I say, shoot it into them as hard as you can over and over.

 

[Brian23]

They can't even enter the zone, or maintain control. Ovie is the least of the issues with the PP, he always draws coverage and creates space. If the other 4 guys can't do something with it; that's on them and the coaches.

They can't easily enter the zone because an entire wing of the zone can be ignored because Ovi's on it. He basically turns the entire thing into a 4v4 until they get setup and he can sit in his office.

Its why aggressive PKs are so successful against us, they can just ignore Ovi until they get setup and if they never get setup he's a non-factor. Hell, you want the puck to go to him because he'll treat it like a hand grenade.

 

[twabby]

T'was a fine period

 

[Firsov99]

Yeah, on the replay, that's as obvious as it gets, this TNT chick sucks.

Agreed. She doesn’t have a broadcasting voice either.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

If it's any consolation, we also struggled mightily in the first round against the Blue Jackets during the Cup run as well.

In fact, the whole East run was a struggle for us. Interestingly, it was only in the Stanley Cup finals itself where we really didn't struggle all that much.

As the #1 seed in the east they shouldn’t struggle in every area of the game so much against a team playing their back up.

 

[kicksavedave]

Both goalies have been sharp, but neither has been tested a lot. This game is messy so far.

 

[Firsov99]

T'was a fine period

Better in comparison to game 3, so far, for sure.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

That Carrier kid saw his life flash before his eyes with 8 coming full speed at him.

 

[Calicaps]

Dump and chase will not bring a victory.

Disagree. Pucks deep. Win battles. Crunch their D. And crash the net for rebounds.

 

[Nice]

They're collapsing so hard on the breakout. Need to stretch the ice

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

We need big Protas back. He was our best player all season.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

If it's any consolation, we also struggled mightily in the first round against the Blue Jackets during the Cup run as well.

In fact, the whole East run was a struggle for us. Interestingly, it was only in the Stanley Cup finals itself where we really didn't struggle all that much.

They should be fine if they shoot the puck and challenge the goalie. Caps can't let guys like Newhook, Anderson, Dvorak, etc get under their skin. The biggest difference to my eyes is Montreal isn't making lazy plays in the series.

 

[Devil Dancer]

That Carrier kid saw his life flash before his eyes with 8 coming full speed at him.

He got hurt on that play, hasn't been out since.

 

[Block]

Other than that one ugly turnover that led to a quick flurry, Montreal has generated nothing. Stop giving them help with that kind of bullshit and they're going to be in trouble.

 

[Lou Sassole]

They can't easily enter the zone because an entire wing of the zone can be ignored because Ovi's on it. He basically turns the entire thing into a 4v4 until they get setup and he can sit in his office.

Its why aggressive PKs are so successful against us, they can just ignore Ovi until they get setup and if they never get setup he's a non-factor. Hell, you want the puck to go to him because he'll treat it like a hand grenade.

That's a coaching/strategy thing as much as anything else. Have him trail the play, put him in front of the net, move him to the other wing(or anywhere else)on the entry, change something. They can't even enter the zone without Wilson, Strome, or Carlson fumble f***ing the puck around.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

He got hurt on that play, hasn't been out since.

Yeah, with a leg injury. Imagine if Ovi connects with his body in that spot.

 

[Neil Racki]

Dump and chase will not bring a victory.

I disagree. If you don’t have something, getting the puck deep and forechecking their D is 100% the way our team will beat this team

We are the better team … just need to roll lines play 5v5 and hope we can outscore Suzukis line

 

[IafrateOvie34]

MTL blocking so many shots. I say, shoot it into them as hard as you can over and over.

Indeed.

 

[tenken00]

As the #1 seed in the east they shouldn’t struggle in every area of the game so much against a team playing their back up.

This is hockey though. Anything can happen. This isn't the NBA where anything is given.

Everything has to be earned in the NHL playoffs. In the moment. In the now.

A true reset into a second season. All past records can be thrown out the window. More so than any other sport (except maybe football where it's only one game and loser goes home).

 

[Block]

That's a coaching/strategy thing as much as anything else. Have him trail the play, put him in front of the net, move him to the other wing(or anywhere else)on the entry, change something. They can't even enter the zone without Wilson, Strome, or Carlson fumble f***ing the puck around.

I think part of it is the drop pass they always do, it allows defenses to get reset. It'd be one thing if the first guy was coming with speed and then it was a quick change in direction via pass to someone else already coming with speed, but that's not what they're doing.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

If I was a Montreal fan I would be concerned with flanks being exposed around the crease.

 

[twabby]

I appreciate the defensive effort so far but they really need some offense from PLD and Wilson. They aren't really generating anything at 5v5