GDT Round #1: Stanley Cup Playoffs - Game #5 - Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals - Wednesday, April 30th @ 7:00PM EST

[xXx..CK..xXx]

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.

 

 

 

[Commandant]

I voted other on Caps, cause none of them will get any points. 

[JoeLassister]

11 hours ago, Commandant said:

I voted other on Caps, cause none of them will get any points. 

I like your attitude.

[JoeLassister]

[GHT120]

13 hours ago, Commandant said:

I voted other on Caps, cause none of them will get any points. 

I did the same for Habs to reverse jinx them

[GHT120]

Montembeault isn't even mentioned ... don't take that as a good sign for his availability (until next season?) ... unless they are just playing mind games with the Caps, he could/would have at least been mentioned as day-to-day, as he was Sunday (see below).
 

 

[johnnyhasbeen]

Go Habs Go! Not our first time facing a 3-1 deficit.

[GHT120]

 

[johnnyhasbeen]

I just read that Thompson is playing with a concussion and that seems to be something that the league needs to look into. Few pucks to the head and he will be permanently damaged. He should not be playing at this point. 

[GHT120]

1 minute ago, johnnyhasbeen said:

I just read that Thompson is playing with a concussion and that seems to be something that the league needs to look into. Few pucks to the head and he will be permanently damaged. He should not be playing at this point. 

Source?   

[Commandant]

8 minutes ago, johnnyhasbeen said:

I just read that Thompson is playing with a concussion and that seems to be something that the league needs to look into. Few pucks to the head and he will be permanently damaged. He should not be playing at this point. 

 

Who diagnosed him with a concussion?

[xXx..CK..xXx]

3 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

Perfect time to bring this out. 

[GHT120]

39 minutes ago, Commandant said:

Who diagnosed him with a concussion?

Even ClickBait30 doesn't have anything ... so my guess is some random Twit ... err ... Twitter poster

[Commandant]

Thr nhl rule requires a minimum of 1 week out for a diagnosed concussion so there is no diagnosis is my guess.

 

This happened last year in the NFL too.  Randos on twitter were convinces Josh Allen had a concussion but the doctor cleared him in game.

[Dalhabs]

The comeback starts now!

If we lose at least the boys didnt get outplayed. All games were close.

Go Habs Go!

[BCHabnut]

4 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

Perfectly timed as usual. 

[Fanpuck33]

9 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

 

Oh my gosh!  I totally fotgot this wallpaper was a good luck charm back when Chuck was on!  I have my phone's lock screen set to show her pointing a gun at anyone trying to get into it, haha.

[Helmethead]

11 hours ago, JoeLassister said:

Yvonne can point her gun at me anytime 😍

[Commandant]

3 minutes ago, Helmethead said:

Yvonne can point her gun at me anytime 😍

 

Careful with saying things like this in 2025, not that there's anything wrong with that. 

[bar]

7 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

Careful with saying things like this in 2025, not that there's anything wrong with that. 

I think saying I'll point my gun at her will get you cancelled in 2025

[Helmethead]

8 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

Careful with saying things like this in 2025, not that there's anything wrong with that. 

I’ll take a Seinfeld reference anytime!

[DON]

What kind of game will 93 have today?

This Canadiens player believes that Ivan Demidov is much more talented than him | JDM

 

"He wants to learn, he's jumped on the bandwagon, he's got a ton of talent, a lot more than me, and he's asking a lot of questions. He's only going to be better," Evans said.

"Since he arrived, he's been acting like a pro. He's very talented, but he's also a competitor and he's already one of the best players on the ice. He's a very smart player and he has the confidence to make plays and execute them well," added Cole Caufield.

 

And #48 near top of d-men.

(Chelios had 10pts in 15gms a a rookie in playoffs)

[GHT120]

27 minutes ago, DON said:

"he's got a ton of talent, a lot more than me" Evans said.

With all due respect to a 7th round pick who has build a solid NHL career ... I  %^*&$#@  hope so.

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

48 minutes ago, GHT120 said:

With all due respect to a 7th round pick who has build a solid NHL career ... I  %^*&$#@  hope so.

 

Yup, well said. Demidov seems to have a great attitude, read stories before where scouts said they thought he has a much better attitude than Michkov. 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

 

Yikes

 

Sounds like Protos is playing on top of that