Post-Game Talk: Habs lose game 2. Capitals lead series 2-0

[Miller Time]

The fact we could have won either game is promising. VERY valuable experience for the young players. They look shell shocked by the speed and physicality.

I don’t buy that Washington is bringing some sort of out of the ordinary physicality. This is par for the course of the Stanley cup playoffs.

we don’t need to bring in a “tough” defenseman. We needed another veteran D that can move the puck under pressure and control a gap

Indeed.

Sucks because it's not there yet but it's coming.

In the meantime, the compete and belief we're seeing out of this tenacious and young group is damn impressive

 

[HuGo Sham]

I've thought about it and I agree lets call up Florian and go full Caveman.

I wish. He’s not ready. This summer he needs 15 pounds and I predict a call up by middle of next season

 

[expy]

The fact we could have won either game is promising. VERY valuable experience for the young players. They look shell shocked by the speed and physicality.

I don’t buy that Washington is bringing some sort of out of the ordinary physicality. This is par for the course of the Stanley cup playoffs.

we don’t need to bring in a “tough” defenseman. We needed another veteran D that can move the puck under pressure and control a gap

I'd argue even Washington really isn't bringing any good speed. The games have been pretty damn slow.

 

[calder candidate]

There's no doubt that the cross checks should've been called. That being said, I'd rather the refs put the whistles away than call a bunch of ticky tacky penalties.

The young guys are learning what playoff hockey is all about. And if this is how the refs are going to call it we need to adjust. Simple as that.

Agree and they are missing stuff on both side but WSH is getting away with pretty outrageous stuff this isn’t just finishing check, extra tight play…cross checks to the face x3, 2 of those should have been a easy call Hutson got horse collar at some point trying to skate with the puck should have been a pretty easy holding call…

 

[JianYang]

On another note, I've seen multiple series involving the habs where the team down 2-0 has won the series.

1996 habs win the first two on the road and lose the next 4.

2004 Habs lose the first two and win the series in 7

2006 habs win the first two games on the road and lose the next 4

2011 Habs win the first 2 games on the road but lose the series in game 7 OT.

Honorable mention:

2008 Habs win the first 2 games against Boston but it took the habs 7 games to close the deal.


All this is just to highlight the ebbs and flows of a series. Every game is brand new and if the habs win game 3, it's on again.

Just to add to this post... I forgot the most obvious one. 1993 versus the nordiques where the nords were up 2-0

 

[TRG]

The great news is, when the young core is on the ice, Habs are the best team. That core is mostly signed for a while and hasn't hit their prime. Exciting years ahead.

 

[Canadienna]

I'm more calm than I thought I'd be. 2-0 isn't insurmountable.

We're getting hosed with these non calls on crosschecks to the face. Makes me want Xhekaj to just go return the favour, but then I'm sure the refs would find their whistles.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

With the current roster and coaching, a sweep seems imminent.

I still think they win 1. I had caps in 5 in my bracket but wouldn't be surprised if Habs stretch it to 6

 

[JianYang]

I'm more calm than I thought I'd be. 2-0 isn't insurmountable.

We're getting hosed with these non calls on crosschecks to the face. Makes me want Xhekaj to just go return the favour, but then I'm sure the refs would find their whistles.

Oh yeah, if the Habs are thinking in the same way, it would mean they have lost their focus. That's a ticket to a sweep.

 

[expy]

With the current roster and coaching, a sweep seems imminent.

Our only chance was if Lindgren played. I had the Habs in 7 if he did. I didn't know Thompson was that close to coming back, I think it's a sweep. Thompson is in the zone, making all the big timely saves.

 

[The Great Weal]

Our only chance was if Lindgren played. I had the Habs in 7 if he did. I didn't know Thompson was that close to coming back, I think it's a sweep. Thompson is in the zone, making all the big timely saves.

He's giving up rebounds nonstop. He had an awesome 3rd but he's been their weakest part by far so far.

 

[Forum93]

Good 3rd period again, but same old story can't start early and can't finish.
Maybe we win the next 2 at home, but to win 4 of the next 5 good luck.

Not even mad, Canes did us a huge favor sending their B team last game of the reg. season so just happy to see our young guys gaining some valuable PO experience. Put in Jackeye next game.

 

[the]

We win next game after Washington wins again. Series go 3-1 and we start our Halak run comeback. It’s all part of the script.

 

[dinodebino]

Who?

Who closed the thread????

I said... DON'T CLOSE THE THREAD UNTIL AFTER THE PLAYOFFS!

Our mod is pissed. Figs gif right here!

 

[expy]

He's giving up rebounds nonstop. He had an awesome 3rd but he's been their weakest part by far so far.

Both goalies are giving up tons of rebounds, Thompson had the most difficult shots to stop. Honestly both their goals tonight weren't great, especially the 2nd where the dude is just sliding all the way to the right. Caps outshot the Habs 32-26, but not many great chances, and they went up 2-1 on their 13th shot.

 

[dinodebino]

Laine and Savard make me sick !

You should have eaten the disgusting crab legs from Metro I ate two days ago. I got sick and shat the universe.

Fortunately, I have my bidet.

 

[JianYang]

I'd argue even Washington really isn't bringing any good speed. The games have been pretty damn slow.

The last game they played in the regular season where Suzuki won it in OT was much of the same.

It's the caps style and I don't think they would fare as well in a speed game.

Maybe the Habs can dictate more a of speed game with the last line change.

 

[Whitesnake]

Where did I say that? If you read my posts you’ll clearly see I am no fan of Matheson.

I love Lane, I’m just making a comment that his lack of having an effective shot limits our PP in that regard. There is no worry of any point shot during. Hopefully he develops a better shot as he grows older.

You said that by saying that the PP is predictable 'cause he doesn't shoot. Which means that since Matheson shoots it's less predictable? He does shoot..not often enough. And while not the biggest often a shot that reaches the net or is there for deflection. The predictability might also come with always going to Laine. Predictability is that Suzuki has stopped doing what he does on the PP which is shoot as wel. Predictability might also come with the fact that Slafkovsky is not a shooting option. Predictability cannot be only one thing.

 

[Kimota]

Too many passengers on this team. And Caps had none. I cannot believe what Evans has become.

Worst of all is that Monty has come to play but he gets no help. Come on guys, wake up. Here you have a goalie that does the work, he's in a zone, don't waste this.

I also think the Caps played much better in their zone tonight. It was much harder for the Habs to make plays and shot on net. If we are gonna generate chances, it's gonna come down to bigger guys like Slaf to make those breaches.

 

[Habano]

I hope I'm wrong but I think this series is over. The boys played their asses off and still lost both games.

Monty has played amazing but I think he's due for a stinker. We've seen it all season, when Monty is bad, he's really bad and that's what worries me.

I'm a huge Xhekaj fan but it's too late now. If changes were to be made, they should have been after the first game when we got absolutely destroyed physically. Caufield, Hutson, Guhle among others were targeted and it continued tonight.

MSL in all his wisdom said that Wilson would not change his game whether X was dressed or not and, that may be true. What he doesn't realize however is the bigger picture of how our players would have played with X in the lineup.

I don't give a f*** about Wilson and whether he changes his game or not. What I know for sure though is that our guys would have been less scared and intimidated and would've played with more confidence. How could our coach be completely blind to that? How many times do you think Dubois would have tried to get under Suzuki's skin after a whistle with X on the ice??

But hey, X haters, Kumbaya sandal wearing no violence in hockey advocates and MSL fanboys, you got what you wanted. No X in either game!!

Unfortunately we've been ragdolled and bitchslapped for 2 games now and we're down 2-0. The best part however is that your favourite whipping boy didn't play in either game so, who are you all gonna blame now?

I'm also tired of hearing the defeatist comments about how it's OK that we're losing because we're the youngest team in the history of civilization to make the playoffs. So what? Does that mean we should rollover and get trampled? Maybe we should have conceded the series before it began? Complete joke

 

[sergejean]

Lots of overreaction here. Washington is more physical for sure but I don't think we play like we are intimidated. Team thoughness is also being able to take a hit to make a play and I think we do that. This is the youngest team in the playoffs and you just can't expect to win with a young team. Not that we can't surprise and beat Washington but I don't think we can realistically expect them to make a deep playoffs run.

Savard will not get scratched - forget about it. We're not losing because of Savard. We scored 3 goals in 2 games. On the other hand, Laine...the puck dies on his stick and he's a turnover machine.

So run the same line-up minus Laine and hopefully we can win the next game and extend the series. I still believe the Caps can run out of gas.

 

[BullLund]

Lots of overreaction here. Washington is more physical for sure but I don't think we play like we are intimidated. Team thoughness is also being able to take a hit to make a play and I think we do that. This is the youngest team in the playoffs and you just can't expect to win with a young team. Not that we can't surprise and beat Washington but I don't think we can realistically expect them to make a deep playoffs run.

Savard will not get scratched - forget about it. We're not losing because of Savard. We scored 3 goals in 2 games. On the other hand, Laine...the puck dies on his stick and he's a turnover machine.

So run the same line-up minus Laine and hopefully we can win the next game and extend the series. I still believe the Caps can run out of gas.

They did literally lose because of Savard putting the puck in his own net though.

 

[JianYang]

Too many passengers on this team. And Caps had none. I cannot believe what Evans has become.

Worst of all is that Monty has come to play but he gets no help. Come on guys, wake up. Here you have a goalie that does the work, he's in a zone, don't waste this.

I also think the Caps played much better in their zone tonight. It was much harder for the Habs to make plays and shot on net. If we are gonna generate chances, it's gonna come down to bigger guys like Slaf to make those breaches.

The caps were still too leaky in the 3rd. Their goalie made some pretty big saves to keep the Habs to one goal.

 

[sergejean]

They did literally lose because of Savard putting the puck in his own net though.

That's not how I see it. We lost because we could not score more than 1 goal.

 

[Kimota]

Laine is gone, bring Xhakaj as a forward :

Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovsky
Anderson - Dvorak - Gallagher
Xhekaj - Evans - Demidov
Heineman - Newhook - Armia

Tell Laine to go home.

Xhekaj-Condotta-Xhekaj

Heineman-Evans-Newhook