GDT: Switch Flippers vs Demigod and pals

[Block]

i had this same thought but McMike hasn't played center in a long while now. Not sure a playoff game is the right time to test him.

He was also not good defensively today, I don't know that you want to give him even more defensive responsibility.

 

[WanderingCapsFan]

15 more.

 

[WanderingCapsFan]

I was gonna be fine with a 2-0 or 3-0 win..........but I don't hate the demoralizing effect of the MTL comeback, then sitting through the 18 minute wait for OT, then in minutes you are sent back to the hotel by 8.

It's gotta sting. Sleep on that.

 

[CapsSkins]

I was gonna be fine with a 2-0 or 3-0 win..........but I don't hate the demoralizing effect of the MTL comeback, then sitting through the 18 minute wait for OT, then in minutes you are sent back to the hotel by 8.

It's gotta sting. Sleep on that.

They're probably going to wake up confident that they hung with the 1 seed in the East. Not that it matters; we just need to play our game and take care of business. We got Protas and Fehervary on the way back, too, assuming we aren't eliminated by then.

 

[CactusCap]

They're probably going to wake up confident that they hung with the 1 seed in the East. Not that it matters; we just need to play our game and take care of business. We got Protas and Fehervary on the way back, too, assuming we aren't eliminated by then.

They may but by the same token the Good Guys have the, “Oh dang! This team can play feeling!” I’m not sure the Caps could’ve had a better result from a “sports psychology” standpoint. It’s really hard to continue to say to yourself, “Man we we could’ve beat them!” And be optimistic about if results continue to go the other way.

 

[Khomutov]

7 hits too

It’s 2010 again

No, better would be 2018.

 

[CapsSkins]

They may but by the same token the Good Guys have the, “Oh dang! This team can play feeling!” I’m not sure the Caps could’ve had a better result from a “sports psychology” standpoint. It’s really hard to continue to say to yourself, “Man we we could’ve beat them!” And be optimistic about if results continue to go the other way.

Yeah I voted Caps in 5 and, though I had to miss tonight's game, catching up on it I'm not concerned.

The physical play is going to pay dividends in the back half of the series, they're going to take a few games to re-acclimate to the flipped switch, Protas should be back in a few games, Thompson should get better as he gets more games under his belt, and Wilson was the only forward to play more than 20 minutes so the ice team was evenly spread out.

Ovie had less than 17 minutes and had a three-point night and 7 hits. Carbery is keeping him fresh and still putting him in situations to score. Carlson was kept under 23 minutes. Dubois and McMichael each had 3 shots on goal.

The Fehervary thing is concerning because we have 30-year old Matt Roy playing 26 minutes to keep Alexeyev under 15. Fehervary is a 20 min/night guy and he plays tough minutes, too. It's going to tax our D corps the longer he stays out; hopefully he's back by the start of Round 2 should we get there.

 

[RedRocking]

Welp, there was that game against the Leafs, early in the season, where Pro bungled an ENG and the Leafs tied and won in OT.

After that, the team locked down leads in the 3rd for a good stretch of the season.

So, maybe this game will act as a similar learning experience going forward in the playoffs. Would be nice to have Pro/Fever back for those shutdown situations tho.

 

[stephenball]

Is he okay btw?

Apparently he’s going to be spending some quality time at the dentist

 

[HTFN]

Well Roy had about the worst game we’ve seen from him so… that can only get better

 

[CapsSkins]

Well Roy had about the worst game we’ve seen from him so… that can only get better

He also played the most minutes he ever has in a Caps sweater. Not a good recipe for him.

 

[Acallabeth]

I think overcoming the Habs' comeback and finishing the job is a great positive experience, the guys now know clearly what works and what should be avoided.
Keep running the smurfs, Cole's brother legit looked scared of OV and Wilson, which directly led to him going full Green in OT.

 

[ovikovy817]

I was spoiled by .... myself this morning. Enter the Facebook app by error and the first post that I saw was the NHL one with Ovi scoring his first ever OT goal.
Will watch the whole game a little bit later.

Fortunaltey
No injuries (new injuries) I hope
did the team played well? On the other side doesn't matter we won.
Seems like they had a collapse in the 3rd?
Ovi
This is what the PO are all about. One player or one line can win you games. 1 done 3 to go.

 

[TheSmokingMan]

Eller was perfectly fine tonight. That whole line was.

McMichael-Dubois-Wilson wasn’t great but think they drew the toughest matchup. Same for the Chyrchrun-Carlson pair

That Habs top line is a handful. I think the best defense against them is to never let them have the puck.

 

[bacchist]

That face LOL

 

[bacchist]

He played a very confident game despite not playing much this season.

Did he return? I didn't catch it if he did. Wouldn't be surprised if he had to play with a full shield Wednesday.

 

[trick9]

Great game for 50 minutes and brutal 10 minutes to piss it all away. 8 to the rescue so hopefully this works as a wake-up call. 50 minutes is not enough.

As a whole this game was dominated by the Capitals. Doubled them in high-danger chances and through 40 minutes Habs only got to the slot once or twice. Need to win these home games for some cushion and once Big Pro comes back this series should be quickly over when they can throw Protas - Dubois - Wilson constantly against that Habs top-line.

Was pretty hilarious that it was both Demidov and Laine on the ice for that OT winner. Both guys who were running their mouths about Ovi pre-series and in the end it was Ovi took full advantage of Habs being stuck with those 2 out there against him. Even Ferraro mentioned before that face-off that Habs have both Demidov and Laine out there after the icing and here comes the Ovechkin line. Took like 5 seconds and the puck is in their net.

 

[usiel]

View attachment 1019829

Ovie, "Welcome my new adult child."

 

[trick9]

Cole's brother had 0+2 in this game.

Can you imagine how dominant Cole is going to be year from now when he makes his NHL debut? Like having a bigger, meaner and better version of his brother in MTL.

 

[g00n]

How many decades have we heard about the 2 goal lead being the "worst in hockey"? That's for very good reason. Obviously, you feel a bit safe at that point and the other team doesn't feel totally demoralized like the game is out of reach. So you tend to coast while they tend to press.

This is going to be 10x more true in playoff situations and our guys SHOULD know that by now. Most of MTL got to experience it for the first time, from the trailing side. If they ever get up by 2 they'll get a taste of the other end.

You work your ass off and do everything right for 50min and 2 goals is the product. You unconsciously think the other guy can't possibly match that, and the clock is running out on them. But the work is the process, not the score.

Don't think for a second that Carbery didn't notice. He will make sure they don't fall into those habits next time, and "nothing changes" at minimum. Optimally, you take your own game up a notch in the expectation that the late charge is coming.

 

[RandyHolt]

FINNISH HIM

I like that we imposed our will on them. Even if we choked in OT, we are on course to break them down physically in 7. Ovi getting an OT winner was fantastic and long overdue.

I loved seeing Leno catch that hab near center flying by and sent him spinning to the ice. He reminds me a junior Oshie - he's got spunk and skill... and speed.

 

[895]

How did AA look?

I wonder if AA can show enough that we make a move to keep him.

edit: nvm I saw this was asked and answered. Great!

 

[Brian23]

How did AA look?

I wonder if AA can show enough that we make a move to keep him.

I mean, who on the left side are you giving up for him? They just re-signed Chych, so he's out. Sandin is signed long termish, the only guy without a long term deal is Fehervary and Marin is clearly better then AA.

As an aside, I still beat the drum that I wish they'd flip Lenoard and Raddysh. He's absolutely wasted on that Eller line. And I'm not sure why people are so down on McMichael, he looked great this game in my opinion. No way am I breaking that line up, I'd still swap Protas in for Beau and (if they're going to continue this Leno with Eller combo) sub Raddysh out for him on the 4th line.

 

[895]

I mean, who on the left side are you giving up for him? They just re-signed Chych, so he's out. Sandin is signed long termish, the only guy without a long term deal is Fehervary and Marin is clearly better then AA.

As an aside, I still beat the drum that I wish they'd flip Lenoard and Raddysh. He's absolutely wasted on that Eller line. And I'm not sure why people are so down on McMichael, he looked great this game in my opinion. No way am I breaking that line up, I'd still swap Protas in for Beau and (if they're going to continue this Leno with Eller combo) sub Raddysh out for him on the 4th line.

Could flip Fehervary for a young 3c and roll with AA and then eventually Hutson replaces AA.

 

[crab]

Big shout out to Thompson.

Very challenging game as a goalie when your team dominates for ~2/3 and then it flips. So many times over the years we have seen this exact scenario play out and the goaltending wasn’t there.