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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 10:20:22 GMT -5
vs Canadiens vs Capitals: Game preview, start time, & TV scheduleBy Ian Murray Swept by the Lightning on Monday, can the Habs earn a sweep of their own against the Capitals?With a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night, the Canadiens suffered the ignominy of a season series sweep. The Lightning are not only a recent playoff opponent, but also a division rival, and if Montreal hopes to make a run, a likely playoff opponent again this year. With another possible playoff opponent on the schedule, the Habs find themselves in a similar situation tonight. The Washington Capitals are coming in as Montreal's second most likely adversary. Of course, tonight's results will have a great impact on the trajectory of each squad. As each squad delves into their final five games of the season, a number of playoff possibilities are still on the table. Depending on their standing relative to the Lightning and New York Rangers, the Habs could finish first or, second in their division, as well as first or second in the conference. This leaves the Boston Bruins and the Capitals as likely opponents, but the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Islanders are not out of the question. If the Ottawa Senators or Florida Panthers can make an improbable late come-back, they too must be added to the list. Meanwhile, the Capitals are only a single point back of home-ice advantage in the first round, and second place in their division. Conversely, an ill-timed collapse, combined with more Senators wins, could leave Washington out of the playoffs entirely. The season may be wrapping up, but there is no time to rest. Until the clock strikes 10 on April 11th, the stakes will be high for both of these teams. How to WatchStart time: 7:30 PM ET In the Canadiens region (French): RDS In the Canadiens region (English): Sportsnet East In the Capitals region: CSN-DC Elsewhere: NHL GameCenter, NHL Center Ice Know Your EnemyWith a first round match-up against the Capitals quite possibly in the cards, the Habs will want to make a strong statement this evening. As usual, that statement starts with Carey Price. If Price can overcome a fabricated April Fools' Day injury to earn the the start, he'll have to compete with a contemporary on the NHL's statistical leaderboard to get the win. CP31 still has four headshots up on the NHL.com stats page, but if any player can compete with his accomplishments this season, it may be Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin has continued his historically impressive run of success, scoring his 50th goal of the season earlier this week. When Ovi next lights the lamp, he'll tear down another impressive statistical monument. The Russian sniper is tied with Caps legend Peter Bondra at 472 goals, most all-time among Capitals players. It's only a matter of time before Ovechkin takes over, and given his track record against Montreal, there's a pretty fair chance it'll be tonight. The Great 8 is a point-per-game player against the Habs, earning 20 goals and 36 points in 35 games. Symbolic of his ever dangerous stature, Ovechkin has also managed to launch 4.6 shots per game toward the Habs net. Whether on the powerplay or at even strength, Ovechkin is the centrepiece of one of the league's most potent offences. As a squad that admitted to defensive breakdowns after allowing four goals (plus an empty netter) to another awesome offence on Monday, the Canadiens will have to find a way to rebound quickly if they want to make amends tonight. Last Time OutThe Habs have contained that offence so far, allowing only two goals through two games against Washington this year. Both games resulted in Canadiens victories, meaning that regardless of tonight's outcome, the Canadiens have won their first season series over the Capitals since 2007-08. Last time out, playing on Super Bowl weekend, the two teams duelled to a fairly low event game. Combined, they didn't quite make it to 100 shot attempts, and only one goal was scored. The Habs played better as the game went on, but even when they amped up the pressure in the third period, Braden Holtby was excellent. Unfortunately, the Caps keeper decided to get the most out of his trip to Montreal, and went for the full Carey Price experience. Holtby carried a shutout into overtime, but had it broken by a beautiful tip by Max Pacioretty. Tomas Plekanec carried the puck into the offensive corner and threw it out front, where Pacioretty deftly deflected it in for the win. Nonetheless, Holtby's play extended his excellent track record against the Habs. He has a 5-0-2 record against Les Tricolore, supported by a .964 save percentage and a goals against average under one. For the second consecutive game, the Habs will run into a team with all the pieces required to extend their season into May and beyond. And unless the defensive play improves, the Canadiens may need another performance worthy of posting Carey Price's photo on NHL.com.
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Post by Polarice on Apr 2, 2015 10:55:43 GMT -5
Looks good Seventeen!! Thanks!!
I'm hoping for a better game tonight...MT came down on the players pretty hard yesterday, lets see if they respond.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 13:03:29 GMT -5
If you haven't already heard, Smith-Pelley is in, Flynn out and Gilbert in, Pateryn out.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 2, 2015 13:50:34 GMT -5
If you haven't already heard, Smith-Pelley is in, Flynn out and Gilbert in, Pateryn out. On the radio they said MT commented that DSP is improving his conditioning... they also said he dropped 10 pounds since the trade, not sure if that is true.
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Post by jkr on Apr 2, 2015 17:44:15 GMT -5
Hard to believe that at this time of year players are still not in game shape.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 18:34:28 GMT -5
If you haven't already heard, Smith-Pelley is in, Flynn out and Gilbert in, Pateryn out. On the radio they said MT commented that DSP is improving his conditioning... they also said he dropped 10 pounds since the trade, not sure if that is true. I guess that's what happens when your model is Bruce Boudreau. A little chunkiness is inevitable. From what I remember of Spelly at the WJC, he was a good, fast skater. He had good acceleration, which is definitely not there so far. The excess weight might explain that.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 18:38:32 GMT -5
Puck about to drop. They're off!
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 2, 2015 18:39:20 GMT -5
The Caps are ripe for lighting us up.
Hope we're ready for them. Trotz has them playing very well.
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 2, 2015 18:43:03 GMT -5
I would like to see Gonchar back in the lineup. Him and Beaulieu were a good pairing.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 18:47:22 GMT -5
It looks like the D are standing up more (better) so far. PK caused a turnover by doing so. Too bad the resulting 3 on 2 fizzled.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 18:59:13 GMT -5
Not much in the way of scoring chances for either team, so far. Galchy set up DD for a shot in the slot, but it hit Orpik up high.
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 2, 2015 19:03:06 GMT -5
Watching the bruins and wings. .. wow do the wings have a great looking pp. 2nd in the league.
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Post by Disp on Apr 2, 2015 19:23:34 GMT -5
2 shots against. Carey may fall asleep.
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Post by HFTO on Apr 2, 2015 19:35:53 GMT -5
Deserved that break boys are focused on detail tonight ...so far anyways
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 19:49:21 GMT -5
1-0 Detroit over Boston. Good news for Ottawa and Florida.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 19:52:30 GMT -5
Boring game so far. Habs playing defensively. Caps playing Trotzy. I wonder if we'll get to page 2? (snore).
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 2, 2015 19:54:04 GMT -5
Subban interfered with...held back....no call.
2-on-1 the other way.
1-1.
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Post by Disp on Apr 2, 2015 19:54:15 GMT -5
Even the Washington player thought he was getting called on that one.
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Post by Disp on Apr 2, 2015 19:56:33 GMT -5
And now they call Prust.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 19:57:48 GMT -5
Tied 1-1. Joel Ward on a 2 on 1. PK had the puck bounce over his stick, andn Johansson, as he had gone to check PK, puts his arm out and holds him back from gettng to the puck, looks back to the ref to see if he's being called as he expects. No call and Caps tie it.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 2, 2015 20:01:25 GMT -5
They let Max get away with two hooks....but he caught the elbow on the third go.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 20:01:59 GMT -5
Patches hooks Kuznetsov, who had slyly stolen the puck from him, and we're down 5-3 for 30 seconds.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 2, 2015 20:04:05 GMT -5
23rd PP goal for Ovie.
Do we even have 23 PP goals?
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 20:06:04 GMT -5
Would you consider not having PK and Markov out so much on the PK? Do we have anyone safer? It just seems they've been out there for more than a few Power play goals against lately.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 2, 2015 20:08:03 GMT -5
Gilbert joins the rush....he and Petry with the goals...
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Post by jkr on Apr 2, 2015 20:08:56 GMT -5
Patches hooks Kuznetsov, who had slyly stolen the puck from him, and we're down 5-3 for 30 seconds. dumb play by Pacioretty. He's on the PK - just clear the zone. He tries to carry it out, gets a penalty which leads to the goal.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 20:09:32 GMT -5
Second assist of the game for Galchy. He managed to get the puck out to PaP who made the expected (good) pass to Gilbert, who had followed up on the rush. That aggressive defence is working, I think.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 2, 2015 20:12:11 GMT -5
Patches hooks Kuznetsov, who had slyly stolen the puck from him, and we're down 5-3 for 30 seconds. dumb play by Pacioretty. He's on the PK - just clear the zone. He tries to carry it out, gets a penalty which leads to the goal. Here I am showing my age again. The best guy for that was Bobby Orr, bar none. When he got the puck, he put it about 6 feet or more ahead of him and skated into it. There's no way you can steal the puck if it's that far in front and you've got the puck carrier in the way. More guys should do that. Push the puck in front. It allows you to skate as if you're not carrying it, so you accelerate faster.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 2, 2015 20:15:01 GMT -5
Eller with nice finish!
3-2 good guys!
Nice pass back in front by Weise. Not sure he intended that result....but I think it fooled Holtby, who was caught napping a bit in getting over.
Hey....put the puck toward the net...
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Post by Willie Dog on Apr 2, 2015 20:15:20 GMT -5
Yessssss hard work results in goals. .. larry from weise
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