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

[Miller Time]

And then the 2018 caps went on to win the SC. We've seen this story before.

Nah, probably more like the 2015, 16 or 17 playoffs... IF they survive Montreal.

 

[mad4comp]

Nah, probably more like the 2015, 16 or 17 playoffs... IF they survive Montreal.

If its like any of those teams, then the caps are winning the SC... the refpens have become irrelevant.

 

[SharksFan1992]

Reminder the Caps fans, and Habs fans, that Caps were up 3-1 in 2010, too.

 

[illicit]

Reminder the Caps fans, and Habs fans, that Caps were up 3-1 in 2010, too.

No Halak though, so we're good (hopefully).

 

[pezpunk]

Spin how you want... Caps aren't looking very good as a #1 seed.

How they are playing in this series does not bode well for them getting out of the east... If they manage not to choke away the 3-1 series lead they are quite lucky to be sitting on.

They're up 3-1. Apparently anything less than a sweep is not good enough.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Reminder the Caps fans, and Habs fans, that Caps were up 3-1 in 2010, too.

We haven't forgotten but after 2018 all those demons went away.

 

[pezpunk]

Reminder the Caps fans, and Habs fans, that Caps were up 3-1 in 2010, too.

yeah and exactly two of the Caps 23-man roster were on that team. So unless you believe that Jason Chimera and company are coming out of retirement to suit up for the next few games, i'm not sure how it's relevant. Most of the players on the current team probably missed it because it aired past their bedtime.

i mean if your point is "teams can come back from 3-1, it's happened before" then fine. That's definitely true.

But if your point is "the caps have a history of choking" then that's complete nonsense. The Caps aren't even the same team that they were last year, let alone 15 years ago.

 

[SharksFan1992]

No Halak though, so we're good (hopefully).

Don't slander Montebooboo

 

[SharksFan1992]

yeah and exactly two of the Caps 23-man roster were on that team. So unless you believe that Jason Chimera and company are coming out of retirement to suit up for the next few games, i'm not sure how it's relevant. Most of the players on the current team probably missed it because it aired past their bedtime.

That's not the point. The point is a series isn't over till a team gets 4. 3-1 isn't as sure a things as 3-0. I think the Caps close it out in Game 5, but we thought that, too, in 2010 and 2021 (Leafs vs Habs).

 

[Son of Nogatco]

MTL fans salute Tom after his game sealing goal

Too bad it’s not higher resolution, would love to see some Crying Wilson faces photoshopped onto the Habs fans

 

[PlushMinus]

Mastering the art of the Stutzle has been Washington's hidden card this series.

Dude go to the desert or California where your constant flood of tears could solve some issues with droughts

 

[Zalos]

Habs fan perspective:

Hutson cost us two goals, including that first empty netter that sunk us. The first line was nowhere close to what they were in game 3. We went from 40+ shots to less than 20. Xhekaj and a few other players took really stupid penalties that halted us anytime we were gaining momentum.

The one positive I noted is that Demidov proved again why he should never be taken off PP1 from this day on.

I think it's unlikely the Habs win two games in Washington, so I see them losing either Wednesday or in game 7. I hope they get to game 7, just for the extra experience the young guys would get.

 

[kmart]

Habs Fans turning into canes Fans here

 

[Sparky]

I'm impressed by the Habs, they've kept the Caps hands full the entire series. I think we saw the difference in depth starting to show up in Game 4, the Suzuki line has played so well but so much for so long and it may be starting to tell a bit, particularly at evens. The extra day off is gonna help before Game 5.

For the Caps they're doing what they need to do except on special teams. Keep on keeping on at even strength, simplify the PP and get some pucks on net, and hope that the PK struggles are a blip that can be solved. Getting Protas back would contribute mightily to the first and third of those (and probably the second as well if Carbs ever gives him some PP time).

Finish this off at home, Caps. Y'all haven't clinched a series at home since round 1 against the Isles in 2015, we fans deserve a chance to celebrate a series win in our own barn for once (not that I'll be there but my wife will).

 

[Kennedys]

It's crazy to think the oldest player on the Habs first PP unit in this game was 25yo (avg. age 22)

 

[vippe]

Said to myself before the game I do hope Wilson wakes up a little.
And bang, a gamechanging monster hit - and then an empty netter. Should bolster some confidence

Hopefully Caps bring their A-game next game, they have yet to do so.
Powerplay.. step it up.

Spin how you want... Caps aren't looking very good as a #1 seed.

How they are playing in this series does not bode well for them getting out of the east... If they manage not to choke away the 3-1 series lead they are quite lucky to be sitting on.

Both my eyes just rolled so hard they fell out of their sockets

 

[Herregud]

They're up 3-1. Apparently anything less than a sweep is not good enough.

Amazing how quickly all the hockey fan boasts of how much league parity makes the NHL playoff product superior to that of other sports go right out the window when there's an axe to grind, isn't it?

 

[ovikovy817]

I do understand now why Habs fans can only complain about refs... It starts with their main media.
If maybe only RDS would mention that you had 0 5 on 5 goals instead of focusing on the refs...

 

[Hostile Offer]

Montreal went from being "hottest team in the league since Jan and a dangerous 8 seed" suddenly to a cinderella story struggling to hang on against a juggernaut. I love these threads.

For those bashing Wash. give it up - their offense is totally different with Protas and losing Fehrevery was big. And for those claiming their window is closing, good luck - they have lots of money to spend this offseason along with plenty of talent coming up from Hershey.

I don't think anyone really considered the Habs as a major threat for these playoffs, they are after all the youngest team to make it in quite a while and had struggles at the very end of the regular season. The opportunity people saw in them lied mainly in the fact that the Caps also came in to the postseason as a bit of a question mark, but they obviously were still the heavy favourites in this series from the very beginning.

The series has essentially been as tight as it gets, as all the games have been decided late in the 3rd period, and could easily be tied right now. Habs fans can be proud of how their team has performed so far, while at the same time there are still question marks around the Caps although they have been the slightly better team in this series and will shortly be able to add Protas to their lineup (to be fair I don't really know much about him but by all accounts he's an absolute key player for them).

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

I do understand now why Habs fans can only complain about refs... It starts with their main media.
If maybe only RDS would mention that you had 0 5 on 5 goals instead of focusing on the refs...

Well haven’t watched RDS a minute in my life so wouldn’t know what they’ve been saying, wouldn’t need an outside source to tell me the reffing sucked in Games 1, 2 & 4 and not just cause we lost. Maybe they’ll call the dives and the interference right in games 5-7

 

[trick9]

Spin how you want... Caps aren't looking very good as a #1 seed.

How they are playing in this series does not bode well for them getting out of the east... If they manage not to choke away the 3-1 series lead they are quite lucky to be sitting on.

Sad how little some of the Habs fans think of their team.

I think Caps have been playing pretty well, but Habs got to them in G3. Overall for the Capitals you'd like them to finish at a higher % but both chances-wise and 5-on-5 they've dominated this series and rightfully have the 3-1 lead.

That said Habs while young have been playing well. They've been in on every single game and i don't think they look out of place at all. For someone to say that based on this series where the Caps have carried play and have xGF of 55.37% so far and 3-1 lead that they won't get far is selling the Habs so short. Habs have a good team and they've given Caps a really good run for their money so far. This series isn't over yet, either.

 

[CzarDemidov]

That was a nice learning game for the habs! They are getting a lot of good experience from thoses games. Just some nice investment for the future! They are competing and that whats matters at this point. Laine got hurt, Montembeault got hurt and today Carrier. They will be good next year and they will be playing with grit! Caps are making us better!

This playoff experience is likely going to make the Habs better for future playoff appearances.

I think that’s fair to say.

Getting pummeled 5on5 can only go so far though. The roster is so bad I didn’t have hope for a series win and I’m glad it wasn’t a sweep. This is all gravy for the Habs on a wider level.

On a game by game basis, I wanna see the Habs play the Caps more tightly, more physically, more wisely. I doubt it’ll be possible but you never know with this Habs team, they work so hard with their backs against the wall.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Sad how little some of the Habs fans think of their team.

It’s a very young team with very little playoff experience. The second line basically doesn’t exist: Dach is out, Laine is out, Demidov is a fresh rookie. Newhook is a terrible hockey player.

We have a very bad roster in terms of depth of talent. Gallagher and Armia are slow. The defense is a mess with too many LHD and a guy one week from retirement as the sole remaining RHD. Hutson is electric but also tiny, he needs a proper pairing.

I could keep going

The point is this is all gravy for this young rebuilding Habs organization. I think most Habs fans are just happy to make it to the playoffs three years after this rebuild started.

The fact we’ve made the games tighter than expected is superb. I hope to win the next one and the one after too. But it’s really the Caps’ series to lose.

 

[Kuz]

Dont really see the point that Montreal keeping it competitive is supposed to be a knock on the Caps, This is the NHL and there is a lot of parity. Thats one of the main reasons we have 7 game series as almost any team in the NHL can beat another in a single game. The difference is that the best teams have fewer weak games and usually takes the series win.

Montreal had a really strong second half of the season aswell. President winners Winnipeg is struggling even more with the Blues who also came in to the playoffs on a hot streak. All western series are 2-2 and even. Toronto while up 3-1 have been in 3 OT games. Florida crushed Tampa in the two away games then Tampa answered with a strong game. Carolina is probably the team that have had most control on their opponent, but NJD was the best team in the game they won. So there isnt a single team being completely dominated ore overwhelmed by their opponent.

 

[Caps8112]

Reminder the Caps fans, and Habs fans, that Caps were up 3-1 in 2010, too.

You think we need a reminder? The team with the most blown 3-1 leads (5) in the playoffs. Nothing is over until win 4. The difference for the franchise in 2018 is they had that killer instinct. Luckily prior playoff losses have nothing to do with current series