Series Talk: [M1] Washington Capitals vs [WC2] Montreal Canadiens (WAS Leads 3-1)

[Herregud]

Maybe you should watch the game.

From health to work to time zones to just plain old life in general, not everyone has the luxury of endless time.

My plate is full and I barely have enough time to watch my own team play, let alone all of the teams in the playoffs. So when (and not just in this case) someone posts about something they deem significant, it's always nice when they go the extra mile and post clips.

I'd assume that's true of other people as well. I totally get it, though. Being snarky without conscience is the cool internet thing to do.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

From health to work to time zones to just plain old life in general, not everyone has the luxury of endless time.

My plate is full and I barely have enough time to watch my own team play, let alone all of the teams in the playoffs. So when (and not just in this case) someone posts about something they deem significant, it's always nice when they go the extra mile and post clips.

I'd assume that's true of other people as well. I totally get it, though. Being snarky without conscience is the cool internet thing to do.

Clearly, you should work less, you appear a tad too irritated. I'm glad if I helped you vent, which is my positive action for the day. I wasn't talking to you, and I expect anyone who makes a specific comment about a hockey game to watches it. The poster I was talking to definitely followed the game, but conveniently missed the cross-checks, which prompted my response.

It's a hockey board, take it easy.

 

[Herregud]

Clearly, you should work less, you appear a tad too irritated. I'm glad if I helped you vent, which is my positive action for the day. I wasn't talking to you, and I expect anyone who makes a specific comment about a hockey game watches it. The poster I was talking to definitely followed the game, but conveniently missed the cross-checks, which prompted my response.

It's a hockey board, take it easy.

Ah. You're one of those. Have a great time being you, fella.

 

[InsideLaineBOOM]

5 on 5 stats from the 2 games:
High Danger Shots
Habs: 7
Caps: 7

Medium Danger Shots
Habs: 4
Caps: 19

Low Danger Shots
Habs: 76
Caps: 58

Goals Against from Rebounds
Habs: 3
Caps: 0

Power Play Stats:
High Danger Shots
Habs: 1
Caps: 1

Medium Danger Shots
Habs: 0
Caps: 3

Low Danger Shots
Habs: 8
Caps: 1

High danger chances seem to be about the same, but there is a big discrepancy in medium and low danger shots. Also, the Caps seem to have the edge collecting rebounds.

How many of those Low danger chances and Low danger shots are from Laine? Because then they are categorized incorrectly. EVERY chance and shot by Laine is a High danger one.

 

[Herregud]

How many of those Low danger chances and Low danger shots are from Laine? Because then they are categorized incorrectly. EVERY chance and shot by Laine is a High danger one.

You... I like you.

 

[CactusCap]

How many of those Low danger chances and Low danger shots are from Laine? Because then they are categorized incorrectly. EVERY chance and shot by Laine is a High danger one.

Only because the refs are in the tank for the Habs and allow him to use a clearly illegal stick. Look at the shaft bend!

 

[PlushMinus]

I got you







3 crosschecks to the teeth in 2 games with zero penalties.

Alexeev in game 1 - should have been a penalty.

I think the Caufield one by Dowd was pretty bad.

Gallagher's wasn't even to his face. Top of his chest. He embellished it

 

[Lshap]

Objectively Montreal should be getting blown out. The Caps are crushing them in high danger chances.

Except Montreal isn't getting blown out. Bottom line: Two very tense one-goal games.

EDIT: Shot comparisons are listed in a post on the previous page (in fact, high-danger shots are even).

 

[Herregud]

Alexeev in game 1 - should have been a penalty.

I think the Caufield one by Dowd was pretty bad.

Gallagher's wasn't even to his face. Top of his chest. He embellished it

I honestly think the only really egregious one is Dowd's.

On AA's, you can see both guys were going at it. Not saying not a penalty, because it very clearly is. Would probably have sent them both for roughing.

Habs fans are rightfully upset about two of those. I know I'd be annoyed.

 

[HTFN]

I honestly think the only really egregious one is Dowd's.

On AA's, you can see both guys were going at it. Not saying not a penalty, because it very clearly is. Would probably have sent them both for roughing.

Habs fans are rightfully upset about two of those. I know I'd be annoyed.

eh.

and don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of "unfair playoff refs" reactions but... the guy being flattened in the slot is not really on the radar. I also agree that it was a push with both hands on the stick and not using the stick, which is what crosschecking generally is.

If Dowd only had one hand on his stick the action would be acceptable and there was no significant indicator of impact delivered by the stick, so... physical play as far as I can tell.

 

[Caps8112]

Caps scores from last years first round against the rangers. While the caps lost thoroughly none of the games were a blowout and the last one was a one goal game till the empty net. There are no bad teams in the playoffs. Any team could beat any other team with the right momentum and goaltending. This is going pretty much how I thought based on the caps franchise usual tendencies in the playoffs. So we have two close games per the score, where honest fans would acknowledge the caps have won 4 of the 6 periods (OT was short). I would guess most people still believe the Caps should win this series but i wouldnt be shocked if it went 5 or 6 games. Caps have never swept a series 4-0. Each series is independent too, so for those already getting the "the caps wont go far" posts based on the close games in this round, it means nothing. Just like when they say the start of the playoffs, everyone is 0-0-0 in the standings. Montreal could still win this too. I wouldn't recommend the way they have played but if they hang around and again in game 3 and pot some fortunate goals, who knows.

4-1
4-3
3-1
4-2 empty net

 

[Herregud]

eh.

and don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of "unfair playoff refs" reactions but... the guy being flattened in the slot is not really on the radar. I also agree that it was a push with both hands on the stick and not using the stick, which is what crosschecking generally is.

If Dowd only had one hand on his stick the action would be acceptable and there was no significant indicator of impact delivered by the stick, so... physical play as far as I can tell.

If not crosschecking by the book, then high sticking unless we choose to believe 1. Dowd's packing a razor in his glove 2. Caufield bled himself.

I agree with you about the on-ice location and I'm not saying that it's something the *had* to be called, just that it's not surprising to me that Habs fans are upset about the fact that it was not.

 

[GlitchMarner]

The Caps have pretty much manhandled them up until the third. The Habs have looked like a much different team in the third period. I think the Capitals need to stop trying to sit on leads and should keep forechecking and being physical when they lead heading into the last period.

 

[TheSmokingMan]

Aren't Montreal fans exhausted by all the bad reffing talk? There's page after page of it on these boards and it's not a good look. Your team made a surprise run to the playoffs and is giving the number one seed a hard time. You have exciting young players and the team looks like it's going to be really good in the future. There's playoff games coming to Bell Centre for the first time in a while. Lots to be happy about!

NHL refereeing has always been inconsistent, especially in the playoffs. There's no conspiracy against you. There were plenty of times the Habs committed an obvious penalty that wasn't called. To watch Hockey in the playoffs, you have to accept that there are calls that won't go your way. When your team loses, it's easy to direct all that negative energy at the officiating instead of looking inward. Just remember one very important thing; it's all your fault.

 

[HTFN]

If not crosschecking by the book, then high sticking unless we choose to believe 1. Dowd's packing a razor in his glove 2. Caufield bled himself.

I agree with you about the on-ice location and I'm not saying that it's something the *had* to be called, just that it's not surprising to me that Habs fans are upset about the fact that it was not.

I agree with that but that's also right in the playoff wheelhouse of "f*** 'em".

Not saying it's right on an individual basis, just saying I watched a variant of the Capitals rely on that and come up short (against Montreal) and then saw a variant that played for the playoffs and won. It's no coincidence that cup winners tend to get a post-hoc reputation as "dirty teams" because they beat everybody and a large handful of people aren't willing to accept that on merit.

It's not ideal or even entirely justified but it is how the NHL playoffs tend to work.

 

[Herregud]

The Caps have pretty much manhandled them up until the third. The Habs have looked like a much different team in the third period. I think the Capitals need to stop trying to sit on leads and should keep forechecking and being physical when they lead heading into the last period.

This is just a Caps thing. Team gets bored for 5-10 minutes a game every game they're playing well, it feels like. Was hoping they're drop the act when the playoffs started, but without Protas' puck control (short term) and now Fehervary's ability to reliably settle things down in his own zone when pressed (long term), I'm curious to see when it actually bites them in the ass.

Alexeyev has played well to this point, but I wish that had been in addition to and not at the expense of MF. Oh well. That's hockey.

 

[shaner8989]

Laine and Demidov have been ghosts.

Remember Laine said he will be better than Matthews. lol what a loser.

Laine is a bench warmer now.

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Habs have the advantage with elite skill. Caps have no match for Hutson and Caufield. Suzuki is up there too, rven though not thst skilled.
So why are they down 0-2?
They have the most skilled players. What’s missing?

Size wins in the playoffs when skill is about equal

 

[Zalos]

The Caps better be ready for the games in Montreal. It's going to be nuts.

This team will not go gently into that good night.

 

[General Fanager]

Laine and Demidov have been ghosts.

Remember Laine said he will be better than Matthews. lol what a loser.

Laine is a bench warmer now.

I agree about Laine but Demidov is 19 and has played a whole 4 games. Maybe we cut him some slack.


I don't think there is any question that Wash is a better team but the missed calls are making it so much worse. The icing in game one shouldn't have been an icing and was probably a penalty and the missed call on CC. That's at the minimum a double minor.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I don't hate our game considering the lineup we are icing am I crazy?

 

[General Fanager]

I don't hate our game considering the lineup we are icing am I crazy?

They were in both games. Not much else to say than that.

 

[Julien LG]

eh.

and don't get me wrong I've had my fair share of "unfair playoff refs" reactions but... the guy being flattened in the slot is not really on the radar. I also agree that it was a push with both hands on the stick and not using the stick, which is what crosschecking generally is.

If Dowd only had one hand on his stick the action would be acceptable and there was no significant indicator of impact delivered by the stick, so... physical play as far as I can tell.

I though the same from that replay. Then they showed the other angle up close on TV (i cant find it). That was all the stick and it look much worst than the 1st gallagher clip. It was a 5 min major. From what i can tell of what you are saying, if you happen to see the other clip, you Will agree.

 

[gtrower]

I don't hate our game considering the lineup we are icing am I crazy?

Just depends on how you look at it. Not great that the Caps throughly dominated about 40 minutes of both games. But encouraging that the Habs didn’t allow the scoreboard to reflect that and turned the tables in both 3rd periods.

I think the main concern for Habs fans in terms of their chance of winning this series is one of the best 5v5 forces in the entire league this season might get inserted into the Caps lineup at anytime here.

 

[Random schmoe]

Called it.

The team that scored more goals won. Remains to be seen if this holds true for the rest of the series, but I hope so. It's a good indicator for a team's chances.