xXx..CK..xXx

Draisaitl is one of the most clutch players in the NHL. The counter argument seems to be that no one is clutch but only great. From that standpoint, it’s easy to dismiss every statement in regards to him because in reality he is a great player. With that being said, one can be a great player and clutch at the same time. The conversation seems to have taken a specific route into the definition of clutch relating to how someone performs in the regular season versus the playoffs but it’s more than that. It’s the mental state of how someone performs when there are key moments within a specific game. In one sense, all 60 minutes are equally important. In the other sense, there’s the shift where the game is on the line for both teams. There are plenty of good and skillful players who one wouldn’t necessarily want out in those moments. On the other hand, there are also less skillful players who one would want out on the ice because they seem to perform in those moments. To me, it’s not purely about a statistic but more-so a mindset. Because that mindset is not necessarily quantifiable, it’s easy to dismiss that it exists. There are plenty of players who suffer from mental health issues in professional sports, so it’s a lazy argument to state that the world has weeded out the mentally weak once it comes to professional sports and not true because once again, there are many different variables that make up a professional player. One may have the skill but not the mental ability to perform under pressure. One may have skill but lack the tactical and strategic defensive mindset of a clutch player on defense. There’s no one definition of what a clutch player is, but they do definitely exist. In terms of who is clutch, I could see how that is debatable. Here is a list of players who scored important goals this year. “Game ending goals”, “late game winning goals”, “game winning goals”, “late game tying goals”, “game tying goals” were some of the criteria used in determining who was clutch when it came to scoring important goals for their team this year. Are they all great players? Sure. Are players like Wilson, Rossi, Boldy, or even Nick Suzuki top 10 players in the league when it comes to “greatness”? Possibly? Swinging back to Draisaitl. He is at the top of the list. He is a great player but so is McDavid who doesn’t appear. The next player on the list was Marner, and that’s where the debate surrounding what clutch means comes into play because some argue that players like Marner cannot elevate their game in the playoffs, however it turns out that he scored important goals for his team this year, and he also scored an important overtime goal for Canada in the 4 nations cup. McDavid also scored the game winning goal for Canada at the 4 nations vs USA but is he clutch, or was being surrounded by other great players beneficial to both players discussed in this paragraph? I do believe there could be some variance when it comes to clutch related statistics and that it can be a somewhat difficult thing to measure. With that being said, I do believe it exists in sport and denying it is like saying not a single player feels pressure prior to the game. Yes, even professionals feel pressure and while some thrive off of it, others can be impacted. Just off the top of my head, Hellebuyck is an example that comes to mind in the reverse sense of being clutch and handling pressure. Anyway, like you said it’s a topic that has been beaten to death but it all stems from one’s perception of what clutch even means. If it’s based off of a specific mindset, then it exists. There are simply toooooo many circumstances where clutch can be used to deny that it fully exists. Clutch can be elevating your game when the games are more important (playoffs, game 7, etc.). It can be a player who seemingly makes key defensive plays when the game is on the line. It can even be a player who raises their game when the going gets tough, period. While all NHL players are professional athletes, not every single one of them has a growth mindset. A player with a fixed mindset, will think things like “I can’t” whereas a player with a growth mindset will believe “they can”. I already know that the rebuttal will be that all professional athletes have a growth mindset and that’s why they are professionals but considering my profession is being an athlete turned coach, I can say with 100% certainty that it isn’t the case. Most are, but some got where they are with pure skill rather than that elite mindset. If these negative thoughts creep into a professional’s mind, and they do, then the reverse is possible as well.

If there’s a mental aspect to sport, and there is, then there is clutch in sport. It’s easy to say that all players in the NHL, or any professional sport are great rather than clutch but there are different elements that allow someone to attain the level of professional. - Skill - Mental fortitude/Psychological capacity - Tactical ability - Technical ability - Physical attributes It doesn’t have to be defined or proven by statistical output. Denying “clutch” as an attribute is like denying that professional athletes are humans who have the same mental problems that the general public have. Anxiety, phobias, whatever it be. It is a fact that regardless of the fact these players are all professionals, some people play better when they are losing, some people play worse. Some people play better when the game is on the line, and some people perform worse. Some people want to take a penalty shot, and some people would rather not. There doesn’t have to be a precise definition, but having a clutch element to one’s game falls somewhere within that line. I think the side who argues against, perceives clutch as being something that results in success 100% of the time. I think it’s more than that as it stems from an emotion and mindset within an individual, even if the results don’t show it 100% of the time.

It’s a shame the Habs didn’t play within the division during the playoffs. Regular season stats: 18-7-1 within the division & 4-0-0 vs the Panthers. 9-12-3 against the Metropolitan division & 1-2-0 vs. Capitals.

I have the same feeling as a Habs win tonight and it’s all due to the Leafs being eliminated.

Hat trick for Granlund 🧢🧢🧢

Something that hasn’t been said enough and in fact the opposite has been stated more often than not… the Habs need some grizzled vets. We need that experienced player who people think are over the hill but scores that unexpected goal in the playoffs. No one loves signing 30+ year old players but eventually we’re going to have to, or we’re going to have to trade for one or two nearing a trade deadline. Habs youth surrounded by proven veterans from the outside = recipe for success. Suzuki, Canfield and Evan’s made the cup final early in their career, but they were surrounded by Staal, Perry, Weber, Price. Admittedly, Tampa’s older players were younger than the Habs but they had a bunch of 30 year olds (5) and Mcdonagh, Killorn and Maroon older than 30. The Habs do have a few 30+ year olds (Gallagher, Matheson, Armia, Anderson) but someone like Giroux, Crosby, etc. would be a step above in terms of point production. Not comparing Giroux and Crosby, but rather comparing them to someone like Armia.

Fleury - Garand is an interesting tandem.

Yeah I saw the Preds as well. It’s a combination of both and one could even throw a little bit of the Wild in there with them trying to incorporate nature within the logo. Mountains vs forest. They were apparently going to go with “Yeti” but a copyright infringement took that option away.

We took Caufield at 15 and Newhook was 16 that same draft.

Pacioretty’s game winner sends the Leafs to round 2.

While we’re at it let’s take Ovechkin out too… and then score some goals.

Dobeš is keeping us in the game.

Going to need our first line to step up to the plate.

On that note…. Carrier is a game-time call Laine is out Montembeault is out

Yep, we already knew about Carrier, Laine and Montembeault at the very least.

I can think of Maurice choosing to leave Winnipeg in 2021.

Perfect time to bring this out.

Wednesday evening, the Habs will find themselves in a familiar position playing another “most important game of the year”. While they are the youngest team in the playoffs by a fair margin and therefore lack playoff experience in general, they have shown themselves to be a resilient team this year. While the outcome is up in the air, Habs fans should expect nothing less than the best effort the Habs have within their lineup heading into this game. Wednesday’s Matchup Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals - Wednesday, April 30th @ 7:00PM - Capital One Arena Montreal Canadiens Lineup Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovksý Newhook - Evans - Demidov Anderson - Dvorak - Gallagher Heineman - Kapanen - Armia Matheson - Carrier (DTD) Hutson - Guhle Xhekaj - Savard Dobeš Primeau Washington Capitals Lineup Ovechkin - Strome - Beauvillier McMichael - Dubois - Wilson Mangiapane - Eller - Leonard Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh Chychrun - Carlson Roy - Sandin Alexeyev - Van Riemsdyk Thompson Lindgren Storyline: Let’s get the elephant out of the room. This game has the potential to be the final game of the year for the Habs. It won’t be mentioned again but stands as the main storyline heading into the game. While the series score stands at 1-3, it’s been a series that has been and still is there for the taking. Heading into the third period of last game, the storyline could have been the Habs’ tremendous penalty killing as well as Dobeš happily fitting in as a 2025 reincarnate of a 2010 Jaroslav Halak. Instead, the Habs played a rough third period and allowed the Capitals to take the aforementioned commanding 3-1 series lead. While the lineups have yet to be confirmed, there is a lot up in the air in that area. The Capitals have been playing the series without Fehervary and Protas. We shall see if either will return for next game. The Habs are nursing more recent injuries of their own with question marks surrounding Laine, Carrier and Montembeault heading into next game. While it is unlikely that all three will play, any help will be welcomed. In regards to the series itself, there haven’t been many players who have stood out to a great extent. On Washington’s end, Strome, Beauvilier and Ovechkin have played quite well and stood out to the eye test. On Montreal’s end, Caufield and Hutson have caught the eye. The stats back up the eye test on Washington. Strome leads the Capitals with 7 points (2g, 5a) in 4 games. Beauvilier is sitting in second place with 5 points (1g, 4a). Ovechkin and McMichael leads the Capitals with 3 goals each. They both have 4 points in 4 games respectively. On the Canadiens end, Montreal has been led by Hutson who has 5 points in 4 games (0g, 5a). Caufield leads the Habs with 3 goals (1 assist). Outside of those two players, the team has been fairly quiet statistically. Both Slafkovksý and Suzuki have scored 2 goals so far in the series but have no assists. The team will need more from both of them and Suzuki in particular if they will hope to get back in the series. Demidov has also performed admirably with 2 assists but cannot be relied upon to be a saviour within the first few games of his NHL career. In addition, the Habs depth will need to chip in. When the Canadiens were beating former cup champion after former cup champion earlier in the year, they were doing so because their depth was superior to the other teams and performing as such. While Washington is good, they have had some quiet performers (such as Dubois) this series and so if they can get a little more from everyone and steal a game on the road, they can work their way back into the series. Anderson and Wilson have also stood out via their physical play. With that being said, discipline will be an important factor heading into the game. Anderson’s play is to be respected for the most part, however he did take an unnecessary penalty last game while Wilson scored an empty netter. Last game, Wilson had Anderson’s number. Hopefully Anderson has the last laugh. There are a myriad of other topics to touch on such as Armia being the Habs only + player this series, Xhekaj’s implementation into the lineup and Thompson playing while Montembeault sits on the sidelines and Dobeš plays. Dobeš would be a topic of its own. With that being said, the lineups are not official and so things will become a little more clear in terms of the lineup as the clock approaches Wednesday at 7:00pm. Let’s all enjoy the game and appreciate everything the Habs have given us this season. The game will be on the road and that is the main factor which will make this game a difficult win. However, there is definitely something to this team this year and so optimism is warranted. The Habs are always in the game when they are losing. The key will be to continue performing should they take the lead. Too many times this year have they played “content” or too passive while only ahead by one goal. Similar to game 3, should they take the lead, may they keep the foot on the gas pedal and strive for even more and may that result in a multi-goal lead and victory. PS: Never forget. We were down 1-3 in 2010.

Let’s go Dvorak. Watching with you guys at 2:10 am.

Well boys and girls, after a great run during the regular season, the team got what it deserved and qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Habs’ reward? The Washington Capitals. I am currently traveling overseas in Europe, but wanted to get this game thread going and build the excitement towards tomorrow’s clash with Ovechkin and company. Without further ado… Montreal’s first round matchup: Montréal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals - Game #1 Round #1 - Monday, April 21st @ 7PM EST - Capital One Arena Montreal Canadiens Lineup Caufield - Suzuki - Slafkovksý Laine - Newhook - Demidov Anderson - Dvorak - Gallagher Heineman - Evans - Armia Matheson - Carrier Guhle - Hutson Struble - Savard Montembeault Dobeš Washington Capitals Lineup Ovechkin - Strome - Beauvillier McMichael - Dubois - Wilson Mangiapane - Eller - Leonard Duhaime - Dowd - Raddysh Chychrun - Carlson Sandin - Roy Alexeyev - Van Riemsdyk Thompson Lindgren Storyline / Series Preview The Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals are set to face-off in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. One cannot think of this matchup without remembering the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs where the 8th seeded Habs took on the 1st seed and league winners Capitals in the first round, having gone on to defeat the favourites in 7 games, despite having trailed the series 3-1. Washington was a ferocious force at the time, and were probably one of the most offensive heavy and talented teams the Habs have faced in a playoff series in quite some time. While one cannot win without a team in the sport, it is safe to say that goaltender Jaroslav Halak had some miraculous moments in that series and having been compared to a stop sign at the time, he was stopping (or “arrêt-ing”)almost everything that came his way. The Washington Capitals have been a solid team for some time, if only in large part to the reality that they have had the greatest goal scorer of all time on their team. Despite not having been predicted to do so, they have had a great season, having been in part inspired by Ovechkin and his race to catch Gretzky for the all time goal scoring record. While Ovechkin has indeed enjoyed a remarkable year, certain players on the Habs have decided to pay no respect for the Russian legend. Laine, who is another talented and minimally comparable player to Ovechkin has suggested that he couldn’t care less about facing the Capitals’ forward. Demidov has taken things one step further, albeit likely in a joking manner, and has stated that he likes Malkin better. With that said, since their Stanley Cup win in 2018, Washington has not enjoyed any success in the second season. From that year onward, they have failed to qualify for the playoffs once, and have lost in the first round their other 6 attempts. While Ovechkin is clearly a great player, he cannot do everything himself and while Washington does have a lineup sprinkled with good players throughout, there are some holes to be exploited within their roster, and the opportunity is there for the taking for the Habs. Will the addition of players like Pierre-Luc Dubois help the Capitals get over their recent playoff hump? Or will the Habs play spoilers once again and serve the Washington Capitals with a heavy dose of a repeated groundhogs day? Montreal, on the other hand has failed to qualify for the playoffs since their Stanley Cup Final run in 2020-2021. Key players such as Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and even Jake Evans, Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher are back in the playoffs for the first time since that great experience. It is certain that they will be chomping at the bit with genuine excitement for the opportunity that lays ahead of them. The Habs’ best players will have to be their best players in order to have a chance in the series, but our depth can also play a role in having success, as it has all season. Along with our veterans who have been to the dance before, an interesting storyline heading into the series are the young guns who have made their mark this year, as well as a few who are just getting started at the perfect time. While Lane Hutson has been other worldly this season and certainly deserves the Calder trophy, newcomers Ivan Demidov and Ryan Leonard will be looking to make their first truly important marks in the league. It will be interesting to follow their respective games throughout the series and playoffs as a whole. While we mentioned Lane Hutson, let’s not forget which team drafted his brother, Cole Hutson. While he will not be in the lineup, Lane will be looking to prevent his brother from having any bragging rights even before he has played an NHL game. While there is so much to discuss, we’re going to keep the first game thread of the Stanley Cup Playoffs short and simple and let the players do most of the talking with their play on the ice. I hope everyone has a great time enjoying the series, cheering on our Habs and let’s hope for the best. It’s an exciting time to be a Habs fan. Go Habs Go!!! Series Game Dates Monday April 21 - 7 pm Wednesday April 23 - 7 pm Friday April 25 - 7 pm Sunday April 27 - 6:30 pm Wednesday April 30 - (TBD) Friday May 2 - (TBD) Sunday May 4 - (TBD)

Just to summarize how things finalized down the stretch. Original Standings 3/25/2025 Montreal: GP 69 - 33-27-9 / 75 Pts / RW 24 NYI: GP 70 - 32-28-10 / 74 Pts / RW 25 NYR: GP 71 - 34-31-6 / 74 Pts / RW 31 Columbus: GP 70 - 32-29-9 /73 Pts/ RW 23 Detroit: GP 70 - 33-31-6 / 72 Pts / RW 25 Final Standings 4/18/2025 Montreal: GP 82 - 40-31-11 / 91 Pts / RW 30 ———————————————————— CBJ: GP 82 - 40-33-9 / 89 Pts / RW 30 Detroit: GP 82 - 39-35-8 / 86 Pts / RW 30 NYR: GP 82 - 39-36 -7 / 85 Pts / RW 35 NYI: GP 81 35-35-12 / 82 Pts / RW 28 Goals For and Against since 3/25/2025: Habs: 36 GF / 38 GA Columbus: 48 GF / 35 GA Detroit: 34 GF / 36 GA Rangers: 42 GF / 41 GA Islanders: 31 GF / 51 GA Record since initial post: CBJ: 8-4-0 = 16 PTS (12 GP) .667 points % MTL: 7-4-2 = 16 PTS (13 GP) .615 points % DET: 6-4-2 = 14 PTS (12 GP) .583 points % NYR: 5-5-1 = 11 PTS (11 GP) .500 points % NYI: 3-7-2 = 8 PTS (12 GP) .333 points % Habs did just enough to clinch ✅ Now on to the next phase…

Columbus is leading their final game 5-0 against the Islanders. In the end, it’s pretty impressive that the Habs clinched a playoff spot despite Columbus ending the season on a 6 game winning streak.

Monday it is…