Pre-Game Talk: Round 1 Game 2: Montreal Canadiens vs Washington Capitals 4/23/25 7:00pm

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Three takeaways for me last night

1. 2nd line cannot stay intact. Sucks to break up other lines but the 2nd line is too much of a liability. It costed us that game.

2. Xhekaj has to draw in. Need his presence and physicality in this series. Savard just can't compete at this level any more.

3. Matheson has to get his head out of his ass and get back to basics. Focus on making the smart and safe plays. He was somehow our worst player last night and that says a lot with how that second line played.

Whether MSL adjusts is a different story.
 
Three takeaways for me last night

1. 2nd line cannot stay intact. Sucks to break up other lines but the 2nd line is too much of a liability. It costed us that game.

2. Xhekaj has to draw in. Need his presence and physicality in this series. Savard just can't compete at this level any more.

3. Matheson has to get his head out of his ass and get back to basics. Focus on making the smart and safe plays. He was somehow our worst player last night and that says a lot with how that second line played.

Whether MSL adjusts is a different story.
This is something to watch for with MSL, how and can he adjust? It's what separates a good coach and a winning one.
 
Our players went to school for playoffs 101 on Monday and they finally figured things out after 2 periods which bodes well for Game 2.

Will be interesting to see if MSL adds Xhekaj to the mix for game 2
oh man, you know he won't. There is no universe in which Xhekaj sees any ice unless there is an injury.
 
Add me to the breakup Laine and Demidov club.

L3: Heineman-Newhook-Demidov
L4: Laine-Evans-Armia

Could work surprisingly well and give us 4 lines with potential to score. Maybe Laine and Armia can find some sort of Finnish connection...
 
The only adjustment I can see MSL is switching Laine and Armia. I don't think he likes having such a liability of a line with a rookie with 3 games experience, a winger that's playing centre, and a horrific ES player all on the ice at once
 
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Pretty predictable play given how they ended the year... Start slow, give up a goal or two, gain some momentum, and try to mount a comeback. Almost had it, but there's no loser point in the playoffs, need the W!

Marty needs to find a way to get the boys to wake up for the start. they looked green in game 1 1st period, but now they know what to expect. Keep it simple is what I'd preach until they get their footing... Take a hit to make a play, nothing soft in their own end, and pucks in deep!

Oh and Monty's a beast! Keep the net front clean and he'll make the saves!
 
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Pretty predictable play given how they ended the year... Start slow, give up a goal or two, gain some momentum, and try to mount a comeback. Almost had it, but there's no loser point in the playoffs, need the W!

Marty needs to find a way to get the boys to wake up for the start. they looked green in game 1 1st period, but now they know what to expect. Keep it simple is what I'd preach until they get their footing... Take a hit to make a play, nothing soft in their own end, and pucks in deep!

Oh and Monty's a beast! Keep the net front clean and he'll make the saves!

They looked green because they are green. They're a bunch of neophytes that need to experience playoff hockey so they're not surprised when they actually have a chance at making runs
 
They looked green because they are green. They're a bunch of neophytes that need to experience playoff hockey so they're not surprised when they actually have a chance at making runs
Yepp, they definitely are. Will be interesting to see how they respond and come out of the gate game 2. Hopefully most of the jitters are out of the way!
 
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