BCHabnut

This is bad

Well if they send two players in hard to get that hit and our d threads a pass to spring a forward, and ot happens repeatedly, odds are they won't send 2 in behind the goal line aggressively. They'll need to adjust.

Yep. Making them pay for their forecheck with some stretch plays can also make them switch strategies.

Did anyone else notice at least 3, maybe four bank shot zone clears where the puck was cleared from the d zone, cross ice, banked off the boards and hit Thompson? It almost looked like it was practiced. I'm not sure, but I think armia did at least 2.

Haha. That's a very good point. 👍

Last night the refs were ok with hits to the numbers, leaving your feet (Wilson on Guhle) and an over the top amount of hits before touching the puck, very late after playing the puck, or nowhere near the puck in the first place. A different pair of refs could continue calling it that way, but my guess is they will call it differently. Habs don't get nearly as pummeled if some of those interference plays are called. We will see. I also expect a game plan based on just that. Caps are committing to big hits and taking themselves out of the play. I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't more stretch plays.

While Armia would stabilize the 2nd line defensively, I think that line would be even easier to defend . Everyone knows Armia is hurt and can't shoot. Including the Capitals.

Laine and Matheson were terrible tonight. I'm kind of sick of watching Laine do anything but shoot. Everything else is terrible.

The boys showed they can hang with Washington. I expect some stretch passes next game. Caps are overcommiting on o zone hits.

Yep. He had the red line. Dump and get off.

Yep. It's either waived or interference. Icing is not the call.

Follow through.

One goal game.

I would not have challenged it.

Regardless of calls, the better team is winning.

Call the plays the same for both teams for crying out loud.

Matheson and Laine need to settle down with the giveaways. Habs need to exploit caps taking themselves out of the play going for hits. Goal for the Habs coming.

Officiating is starting to get on my nerves. Ovie interference and mugging Suzuki. They took a hab when it happened in front of Monty.

I applauded the clean hit on JT. Not so much the fight. The interference hit in Chicago was a mistake for sure, but I want him crushing guys as long as he isn't taking himself out of the play. He is engaged when he's smashing.

This looks about right in an eye test as well. Monty has had a great season, with phenomenal saves he shouldn't make, and letting in the odd goal, that every goalie on the planet should save. He is as everyone keeps saying here, an average nhl starter. He also earns a less than average starter salary, which frees up money for other needs.

I think Commandant summed it up perfectly. Savard is slow, but is probably more reliable than Struble or Xhekaj on the right side. So he has probably needs to stay there. For game one at least. Struble has played better over the season than Xhekaj. Leaving Xhekaj in the press box for now. As far as the physical factor, Struble plays solid, hits, and clears the net front, but with less penalty risk. Nobody is revenge fighting in the playoffs, so that's a non factor. I would start declining pairs as they were on game 82. Ghule Hutson Matheson Carrier Struble Savard

Make it so.

It's been horrible for weeks. Need a shake up or strategy change.

Laine. Play 13 on the left side.

I'm dying here