10 Thoughts: Habs Get Pushed Around in Game 1 OT Loss

For the first time since 2017, the Habs find themselves in a playoff series that does not include some sort of strange stipulation. They were part of the playoffs in both 2020 and 2021, but they got there through a qualifying tournament in 2020 because they would have missed otherwise. They then made the playoffs in 2021 as part of the North Division under the pandemic-regulated season. Therefore, this series meant something for many players on this team.

On the ice, the Canadiens were completely manhandled for most of this game. They fought back valiantly in the third period but ultimately fell 3-2 in overtime. If the game was a learning curve for Montreal, then it was acceptable. If it was more of a blueprint they are looking to follow, then they are in trouble. 

Habs Lineup

Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovsky
Patrik Laine — Alex Newhook – Ivan Demidov
Brendan Gallagher – Christian Dvorak– Josh Anderson
Emil Heineman – Jake Evans — Joel Armia

Mike Matheson – Alexandre Carrier
Kaiden Guhle — Lane Hutson
Jayden Struble – David Savard

Samuel Montembeault 

10 Thoughts

1) This initial note was written pre-puck drop. The Capitals’ game plan will obviously be to run the Habs through the boards as they hold an easily identifiable size advantage. That this is being ignored by Martin St. Louis and his coaching staff is a clear rookie mistake as Arber Xhekaj should have been dressed in favour of anyone on this blue line to plant that seed of doubt for the Caps. 

2) The Canadiens looked nervous early on which was made worse by the fact that the plan highlighted in point 1 came true and the Habs were really being bounced around by Washington’s physicality. Montembeault was the only reason this game wasn’t completely out of reach by the end of the first period. 

3) The Capitals ended the period with a 1-0 lead thanks to a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin that looked much like the one he scored to beat the goal-scoring record. The fact that the Capitals got an advantage on a play where Andrew Mangiapane tried to headlock Hutson and the Habs came to defend their teammate is a little ridiculous, but so were many other calls throughout the game. 

4) Washington remained the far more physical team and were rewarded for it as they ended the second period with a 2-0 lead. Their goal came off a point shot with Anthony Beauvillier jumping on a rebound as Struble got caught watching the puck instead of holding coverage. Did I mention that Xhekaj needs to play next game? 

5) Montreal finally pushed back in the second half of the second period. The Capitals were still way more physical, but the Habs started applying pressure on the Capitals’ defencemen who coughed up some pucks and allowed the visitors some offensive zone time. It was a good sign as the Habs tried to battle back. 

6) The Habs came out with the intent to push back in the third period as Anderson started the period with a bit of a dirty push on Tom Wilson between whistles. That type of play seems like a nothing sandwich but considering the Capitals were bullying the Habs throughout the first 40 minutes, it was a momentum changer for both teams. 

7) It was a lucky and inadvertent yet blatant trip by Pierre-Luc Dubois that finally opened the door for the Habs. On their second advantage of the game, Logan Thompson made a second consecutive save on the highly predictable one-timer to Laine. However, this chance produced a rebound and Caufield was quick to pounce and suddenly, the game was 2-1 with minutes to play with the Canadiens in control of the momentum. 

8) With 4:15 to play, Caufield committed to a forecheck where he beat two Capital defenders for the puck. Slafkovsky then won some battles in front of the net which kept the play alive as Hutson made a savvy pass to Carrier. Carrier’s rebound came to Suzuki who buried it to tie the game. 

9) The whole vibe surrounding the third period was the Caps resting on their lead and the Habs pushing back. Montreal was an excellent third period team after the 4 Nations Face-Off and that came into play here as they really buzzed right to the end of the game. The third period ended with the game tied, and the first overtime of the playoffs.

10) Two minutes into the overtime, Laine did not dump the puck and opted to bring the puck back to his defenders. This was with his line looking for a change. Guhle took the puck and went back to Laine who was cross-checked in the back. Now, the play was not severe enough to warrant a penalty, but it should have been enough to negate an icing. This was missed and an icing was called with the Habs’ worst defensive forwards on the ice. The ensuing faceoff was lost by Newhook who then doubled coverage in the corner which allowed a pass out front to Ovechkin who buried the game winner. 

HabsWorld Habs 3 Stars

1st Star – Samuel Montembeault 

It was the Montem-show for the first half of the game as Montembeault was excellent and allowed his teammates to get settled in their first playoff test. If there will be some debate around who did or not pass the first playoff test on the team, there will be absolutely no debate around Montembeault who was excellent. 

Stats: 29 saves, 32 shots, .906 save %, 2.90 G.A.A., 62:00 T.O.I. 

2nd Star – Cole Caufield 

Caufield was able to escape being a physical target by the Caps. Instead, he was able to dictate his physical confrontations, and the result was that he won many puck battles on this night. He ended the night with a goal and an assist.

Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, +1, 5 shots, 20:41 T.O.I. 

3rd Star – Josh Anderson 

Anderson and Gallagher were the only two Habs who were ready for the physical battle that awaited them. Anderson being faster and more physical was able to shine a bit more than Gallagher on this night. As mentioned, Anderson was also responsible for the play that really turned the tide of confidence for the Canadiens, so he gets the nod here. 

Stats: 4 hits, 14:02 T.O.I.