GDT Round #1: Stanley Cup Playoffs - Game #1 - Montréal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals - Monday, August 21st @ 7PM EST

[Plutarch]

9 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

Boy...Matheson still thinks it's 4-20

😮 he is scaring me

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Just now, sbhatt said:

I need to get it out of my system:  Jesus H Christ is Mike Matheson beyond f**cking useless!!!

 

He is laying an egg tonight, that's for sure

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

BAH

[Commandant]

Down early.  We got em where we want em. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

First line is consistently dangerous 

 

 

[Helmethead]

Ice gonna start tilting the other way. 
 

I can feel it in my loins. 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Ugh lame bad luck penalty there

[Commandant]

These refs can #### off.  all those cross checks on suzuki after the paly are no call, and then the high stick on Laine is called. 

[BCHabnut]

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

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Just a great play by Evans on the PK. He is really stepping up

[BCHabnut]

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.

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Just now, BCHabnut said:

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.

 

I have a high tolerance for Matheson but he has blown chunks tonight.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

I think we should play Xhekaj next game and sit Savard. We could use his toughness and strength against Washington’s big forwards. 
 

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Hutson

Xhekaj - Guhle 

 

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

Gally fumbles a brilliant play by Hutson. Damn.

 

[The Chicoutimi Cucumber]

1 minute ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

I think we should play Xhekaj next game and sit Savard. We could use his toughness and strength against Washington’s big forwards. 
 

Matheson - Carrier

Struble - Hutson

Xhekaj - Guhle 

 

 

 

Savard has been good, and physical, though. He really understands what the refs allow in the playoffs - lots of cross checks etc from #58. Reminds me a bit of Weber in that specific respect (and only that, LOL). I'd leave him in.

[TurdBurglar]

Washington's pressure in the first 10 minutes of the game has paid off.  Montreal is making bad decisions when exiting, or attempting to exit the zone.  Lots of dump outs instead of breakouts, and when they do try to break out it isn't crisp, leading to bobbles and time for Washington to get to the puck carrier. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

1 minute ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

 

Savard has been good, and physical, though. He really understands what the refs allow in the playoffs - lots of cross checks etc from #58. Reminds me a bit of Weber in that specific respect (and only that, LOL). I'd leave him in.

I'm don’t think Savard provides the kind of toughness we need right now. Habs are being pushed around. 
 

I don’t want Xhekaj to fight. I want him to hit - SMARTLY - and to be rough on the boards 

[HabsFan4eternity]

3 minutes ago, The Chicoutimi Cucumber said:

 

Savard has been good, and physical, though. He really understands what the refs allow in the playoffs - lots of cross checks etc from #58. Reminds me a bit of Weber in that specific respect (and only that, LOL). I'd leave him in.

I dont think that it's his lack of good play, but the caps our outplaying our D as a whole, hes too slow, and hes not making a huge statement with the checks, see how this one shakes out but as of right now I am with koivu

[dlbalr]

The Habs haven't played that poorly so far.  I didn't have high hopes heading into this one but they're hanging in there.  They're going to need to figure out how to get some more quality shots through though, those have been few and far between.

 

And on the randomness of the giveaway stat, Matheson and Laine have combined for one.  That feels more than a little light.

[dlbalr]

1 minute ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

I don’t want Xhekaj to fight. I want him to hit - SMARTLY - and to be rough on the boards 

 

The challenge is that Xhekaj and hitting smartly hasn't always happened.  It's the dumb hits he tries to make that lead to goals that will make the coaching staff hesitant to put him in.  Plus, he doesn't kill penalties so Savard sitting means Matheson plays the full 2 minutes shorthanded.

[Commandant]

The issue is not getting enough traffic, screens and rebounds on Thompson.  Its not in the defensive end.  I don't see how Xhekaj solves it.   And using him instead of Savard means Struble is now playing out of position, and the PK units get all screwed up.  I don't think this fixes anything.

 

 

[sbhatt]

2 minutes ago, dlbalr said:

The Habs haven't played that poorly so far.  I didn't have high hopes heading into this one but they're hanging in there.  They're going to need to figure out how to get some more quality shots through though, those have been few and far between.

 

And on the randomness of the giveaway stat, Matheson and Laine have combined for one.  That feels more than a little light.

 

Matheson is at 3 and counting by my count.  I have yelled "You stupid c**t" at the TV 4 times....one for each giveaway and the other was for his stick wave where he got burned to start the game.  I'm usually pretty accurate.

[Fanpuck33]

How the heck do you not challenge the high stick? CLEARLY played above should level.  Bad decision there!

[HabsFan4eternity]

Just now, Fanpuck33 said:

How the heck do you not challenge the high stick? CLEARLY played above should level.  Bad decision there!

the blade was clearly above his shoulders yes, but the pick hit on his shaft not the blade, although I'm sure we are all pained to admit it, it's a good goal.

[Butterface]

Simply put, we haven’t made the most of our chances. Weak pucks to the net. Not a lot of concern for Thompson. It’s like brushing away fruit flies.

 

Monty playing well. Our best player tonight.

 

We are still in it and I think we can do better.

 

So other than the lopsided physicality I expected, I am okay thus far.

 

We need to execute better and not crack under the physical play.

 

Get one early and get back into it.