Capitals/Canadiens: Breaking Down the Match-Up
by Becca H on Apr 13, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
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PrintAs the Capitals and Canadiens prepare to do postseason battle for the first time ever, there are plenty of tried and true storylines getting tossed around - the top two power plays in the League going head to head, Ovechkin in a hockey mecca, the return of Theodore to Montreal, etc.
After the jump, a quick and dirty guide to some of the head-to-head match-ups we'll be seeing come Thursday night.
Best Montreal Penalty Killer vs Best Washington Power Play Specialist
With just over three minutes of shorthanded time per game, Josh Gorges is one of the most utilized penalty killers on the Montreal roster. He leads his team in power play goals against, but his GAON/60 at 4-on-5 is relatively low considering how much shorthanded time he gets - and the quality of competition he's facing.
When he comes up against the Caps, he'll be facing the best. And while Mike Green is the quarterback on the blueline and Alex Ovechkin is the engine, Nicklas Backstrom is far and away the brains of the power play. His ability to find his teammates anywhere on the ice has led him to create some of the best power play goals of the season, and he's racked up the highest points per 60 power play minutes on the team. The fact that he's started to shoot more just adds another facet of awesomeness to his power play game.
Presumptive Starting Goaltenders
Bruce Boudreau can play coy all he wants, there's almost no way Jose Theodore's not between the pipes for Game 1 of this series. And thank goodness, as Theodore finished the season on a high note, going 23 straight games without losing in regulation (20-0-3 over that stretch) and setting a franchise record in the process. Questions of his consistency will always remain until he proves otherwise in the postseason, but the bigger story with Theo is his return to Montreal - a city that has not been kind to its native son.
At the other end of the rink, the goaltending carousel continues and the latest favored son, fair or not, is Jaroslav Halak. Halak's kind of a mixed bag. He's capable of putting up back-to-back shutouts and turning aside 40, 45, 50 shots a night to steal a game, doing so on a regular basis in the NHL and routinely facing high shot totals at the Olympics. At the same time he's equally capable of putting up back-to-back stinkers, as was the case in the last three games of the regular season. If Montreal is to have any shot against a potent Washington offense, it lies in the hands of Jaroslav Halak. Um...no, pressure?
Media
Here in Washington we often talk about the lack of coverage and/or respect given to the Caps by the local media; at times Montreal players probably wish they had that luxury. When the team is winning, they're beloved and the media treats them as such; when they're not, though, watch out.
At times it's just reporters casting harsh - and sometimes well-deserved - criticism on the team, but other times it dips into tabloid-level journalism, as scandalous pictures mysteriously emerge, tales of mob-related mayhem are uncovered, and locker room unrest is "revealed". Add in the Francophone vs. Anglophone factor, as two sets of outlets try to outdo and critique one another, and it gets even crazier. All in a day's work for the Montreal media.
Of course, we all know by now that the best place for information and entertainment is not the mainstream media but the ever-increasing world of blogs and fan-created content. The Habs are certainly not lacking in this department. For Canadiens history and know-how, Eyes on the Prize and All Habs are the go-to sites; and if you want the Montreal of the blogosphere - i.e. funny, crass and filled with half-clothed women - be sure to check out Four Habs Fans.
As for your Caps content...please, you're lookin' at it! (Or, you know, the other eleventy billion awesome sites floating around.)
Montreal's Best Defenseman vs Washington's Best Forward
One of the more intriguing match-ups going into this series will be Alex Ovechkin against his countryman on the blueline, Andrei Markov. Markov is often referred to by Ovechkin as one of the toughest D he faces, and there's no question he's the best defenseman Montreal has - he and Ovechkin will get to know each other even better over the course of this series, for sure. If you believe that as Ovechkin goes, so goes the team, Markov could end up being one of the most important players for the Habs in this series.
Backup Goaltenders
Part of what makes this series so interesting is that the odds of seeing all four goaltenders in this series are probably higher than in any other first round match-up. Neither has completely settled on a solid #1, although both have their clear frontrunners, and the potential wheel o' goaltenders is something to keep an eye on.
For the Habs, Carey Price has been the (often unfairly) maligned goaltender of note and more importantly, has been the guy in net in each of the four games between these two teams during the regular season. The fans and media alike have turned on him this year but should Halak go cold - or remain cold - Montreal will have no other option but to turn to Carey. Considering how well he performed in those four games against the Caps, that's not necessarily good news for Washington.
Meanwhile, we all know how quick Boudreau is to use the hook on Theodore in the playoffs, although Jose's undoubtedly earned himself a slightly longer leash this year. Still, there's no guarantee that the playoff savior from last year, Semyon Varlamov, won't find himself suiting up for the Caps at some point. Varlamov is steadily climbing back into top shape after a long injury and rehab process, and after sitting out for so many games will likely not have the same problems with fatigue this year.
Montreal's Best Forward vs Washington's Best Defenseman
Mike Green has steadily become one of the Caps' most reliable defensemen since the Olympic Break, focusing more on his play in the defensive zone while still managing to rack up points. He's playing smart, savvy hockey, with a dash of physicality thrown in for good measure. Combine that with the steady, consistent play of his defensive partner, Jeff Schultz, and the Caps finally have a shutdown pair that other teams should fear.
And they'll have their hands full against some pretty decent snipers in Montreal, not the least of which is Mike Cammalleri - arguably one of their best forwards. Cammalleri was putting up huge points for the Habs before missing a good chunk of the second half with a gruesome leg injury; he's been slow to recover, with just two assists (both in one game) since returning March 24. Still, he's always dangerous and could break out at any time.
Best Montreal Power Play Specialist vs Best Caps Penalty Killer
On the League's second-best power play unit, there's none better than offseason acquisition Brian Gionta - his size and speed enable him to get into spots others can't, sneaking around the ice and only popping up after the puck is in the net. Of all the concerns for the Caps, Gionta's probably the, er, biggest. So to speak.
Luckily the Caps have some steady PK guys to shut him down, like...
Um...
Well, they have...hell, let's just say they have Jeff Schultz. Sure. Get 'im, Sarge.
Habs-Killer vs Caps-Killer
Every team has them - the killers, those guys who always seem to score against one team in particular. For Montreal, that Cap-killer is Tomas Plekanec. He's got four goals and an assist in four games against Washington this year, and is at just about a point-per-game pace over the course of his career.
Of course, why worry about that when the Caps have the pride of Winkler, Manitoba on their side? Eric Fehr also has four goals in four games against the Habs. And if for some reason we can't Fehrify the Habs...there's always a certain guy who wears the 'C' that's got pretty good career numbers against them, as well.
Fans
This first round series may not hit, say, Caps-Pens level intensity on the ice, nor will it have the same level of drama and hatred. What it will have, however, are two of the craziest, loudest, oddest buildings in the NHL.
Over the last few years, the Caps have taken Washington by storm. Whether it’s the exciting, edge-of-your-seat style they play, their superstar captain who embodies that style or the winning that has come about as a result, DC has reignited its love affair with the Caps. Few buildings are louder than Verizon Center when the fans are rocking the red, and that’s sure to be the case during the playoffs – especially with expectations higher than they’ve been in years.
Montreal fans are a breed unto themselves, raucous and riotous, at the same time ridiculously fickle and fiercely loyal. Bathed in a century of history, they’ve earned a few bragging rights – and they certainly make use of them. Being at a game at Le Centre Bell is more akin to a soccer match overseas than a hockey game, with mocking chants and loud singing reverberating throughout the building. They’ll cheer goals, great individual efforts and appearances from the many hockey luminaries who still call Montreal home; they’ll boo "missed" calls, referees, other team’s stars, their own stars and even the anthems. It’s a tough building to play in, for sure.
So which building will be louder? Hard to say.
But the battle begins Thursday.
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Carey Price has been the (often unfairly) maligned goaltender of note
Careful, your sympathies are showing.
Caps in a walk because it’s not the regular season, it’s big boy time and the Habs are decidedly little.
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it’s big boy time and the Habs are decidedly little.
And where they’re not, they’re slow (<3 u, Hal!!!!).
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Dude, he was the #2 star a few weeks ago, allowed 2 goals on a bazillion shots, and the fans BOOED him. That’s not leftover Habs-love, that’s just human compassion.
Brat :P
Compassion + Habs = Invalid
"He'll be fine, he grew up by a nuclear power plant"- Alexander Mogilny
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by Almo89 on Apr 13, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
If Carey Price were the goaltender in LA, and Jonanthan Quick were in Montreal, we’d hear about the LA’s good young goalie in Price, and about how Quick is maligned unfairly. Habs fans are used to goaltenders like Dryden and Roy… their spoiled, and when a goaltender can’t live up to those standards, they boo. And that is a very tough standard…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 13, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually think this match-up for the Caps is a good one.
If we were playing the Bruins or Flyers, we could easily get over-confident.
But with this team handling us this season, we should come prepared for a tough series.
That hopefully means we over-prepare, and over-achieve as well.
Can’t wait for it to start!
This preview didn’t tell me what truly matters. What’s the over/under on the length of pre-game festivities prior to Game 3?
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I think the series is on TSN, so there shouldn’t be as much, but I’ll go 14 minutes.
/still thinking of going
They're coming.
by Bald Pollack on Apr 13, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, CBC is the king of long intros – TSN is much better. I’ll say 10 minutes.
And are you really?? Jealous…if you go, take lots of pictures and report back and buy me something pretty :) Or if people want to take up a collection to send me to the game – you know, for journalistic purposes – I wouldn’t turn it down…
I was referring to the in-house festivities. The Habs and Leafs are notorious for their ridiculous pre-game stuff. I’m sure the Habs will drag out every old timer they can for this series.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Apr 13, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Ohhhh…right. Yes, they’ll probably wheel some old guys out there. Hey, this could be their only playoff series this year – have to make it big, right? :P
I’m not so much nervous about the Habs match-up as the potential playoff letdown. I know the Caps can take any team in the league, but we saw what happened against the Rags in the first round last year. It’s a very different situation this year, and I can only hope that the Caps are matured enough to grab their throats and not let go. I’m encouraged by AO’s commitment by bringing in his coach from Moscow. He wants this bad, and, leading his team, I think they’ll leech off his passion.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 13, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions
Utter domination. If we can be disciplined this is a 4 game series with no drama.
BRING ON THE PENS
BRING ON THE PENS
BRING ON THE PENS
BRING ON THE PENS
BRING ON THE PENS
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 13, 2010 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
How about lets worry about one series at a time.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by Carl Putnam on Apr 13, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
If I could anti-rec a comment, I would do so here.
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by J.P. on Apr 13, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
You do have the power of annhila- I mean, deletion.
by DrinkingPartner on Apr 13, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s offensive merely to intellect (and the hockey gods), not sensibilities, so it stays.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Well……………can you call me crazy for thinking we’re going to steam roll generously the 20th best team in the league with no grit as long as we can contain our penalty taking, or blame me for looking forward to another incredibly awesome potential postseason series with the Pens… can you?
I’m just having a little fun here guys.
by Bushwood Bushwhacker on Apr 13, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
last years sharks would like a word with you. so would the 05-06 wings and the 99-00 blues.
it’s the playoffs…no time for fun…ok, some fun, but lets not tempt fate…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 13, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The Sharks from last year got an 8th seed that shouldn’t have been an 8th seed except for the fact that two of their better players took a half year off (at least they did it away from the rink…)
The Wings in 2006 had no excuse…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on Apr 13, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
only if you destroy them
"He'll be fine, he grew up by a nuclear power plant"- Alexander Mogilny
Twitter: Tales of Low to Moderate Interest
Bad Mojo.
Maybe deleting the post is unethical but in the words of Toby Zeigler .
“You wanna tempt the wrath of the whatever from high atop the thing?”
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Dunny-on-the-World
by Boggles on Apr 13, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Great Sentiment
Since the Caps Convention last September, this team has been on a mission to beat Pittsburgh. There is nothing wrong with remembering that at a time like this. We need to crush and sweep away the meager opposition standing in our way, and then confront the mighty and formidable enemy. Stop with the superstitious gibberish, and BRING ON THE PENS! I predict the Caps win the first 3 games over the French-Canadian team, and then bring in the Hershey Bears to mop up in Game 4. How is THAT for provoking the so-called hockey gods! HA! I will touch the Presidents’ Trophy too, how do you like me now?
by LeopardSeal on Apr 13, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
In my mind it has so much less to do with superstition, and much more to do with the fact that we don’t know the Caps and Pens will even meet this year. Sure, it’s possible but not a guarantee by any stretch – what if they don’t get out of the 1st round? What if the Caps don’t? What if Philly or Boston pulls off an upset?
No guarantees, kids, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Deal with the opponent at hand.
I feel like this series should be broken down based on what teams have done over the whole season rather than just who did well against who in the regular season. Like our PK is bad and their PP is good regardless of how well either was in a mere 4 games.
Maybe if over 5 years X player always shut down Y player it would be of note but in our SO loss to MTL, one random bounce or soft goal in favor of the caps totally changes the entire season series. Judging an entire series on one regular season bounce seems a bit too focused.
"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"
It’s not really focused on how they’ve done head-to-head this year, though, with the exception of the Habs/Caps-killer. There aren’t head-to-head numbers from the 4 games or anything like that.
For example, I have no idea if Gorges got a lot of shorthanded time against us this season or if Green and Schultz will be assigned to the Cammalleri line. I’m simply basing this on what I’ve seen out of each team over the course of the season. In other words, what we’re looking at is how what we have stacks up against what they have.
Well at least it's official
Jose named plaoff starter by Coach Bruce Boudreau. per TEB.
Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly ...on a broomstick. We're flexible like that (:
that would be playoff starter
Women are angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly ...on a broomstick. We're flexible like that (:
by MR Laughlin18 on Apr 13, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
in a related story, ovechkin will line up as first line left wing….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Apr 13, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Smart
he’s gonna bring his “A” game against the Habs
I don’t get it. Not sure I want to. Unclear what it adds to the discussion, frankly.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
reading the post about the match up…ups knock at the door with my playoff tix…overall excitement prompted a cabbage patch dance while no one was watching…maybe shoulda been on OT but this is where I was at the time. hope this helps clear things up for you oh master of the boards.
I ain't a playa, I just Puck alot
EA Sports says...
April 13, 2009 – The Chicago Blackhawks will win the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 1960-61 season, according to the official EA SPORTS simulation of the 2010 NHL playoffs on the award-winning NHL 10 videogame. The Blackhawks defeated the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in a seven game series to end a 49 year Stanley Cup drought.
Notable 2010 Playoff Highlights
* The Vancouver Canucks will reach the conference finals for the first time since their improbable Cup run in 1993-1994 NHL playoffs, but are eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks for the second consecutive post-season.
* The Phoenix Coyotes make the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season, but are eliminated in their first round match-up against the Detroit Red Wings.
* The 2009 Stanley Cup Finalist, Detroit Red Wings are handed an early exit by the Vancouver Canucks in the conference semi-finals.
* Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin face off in the Eastern Conference Final. Crosby’s Penguins walk away with the victory in this high scoring seven game series.
good thing we actually play the games and don’t hand them out based on EA Sports predictions.
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by RedBirdie on Apr 13, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Redemption
Hawks over wings in western conference final and then defeat pens in cup final….Hossa would be one happy slovak!!
Yeah, but WhatIF
predicts the Caps in 4 over Montreal, in 5 over Pitt, in 6 over NJ, and in 6 over Chicago. After 2,000 simulations, they give the Caps a 50% chance of winning it all. I believe!
A fool with a spreadsheet is still a fool.
by LeopardSeal on Apr 13, 2010 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm starting to think that Game 3 is when we'll know.
Game 3, the first game in Montreal…. if Jose is in locked-in, shut-down mode and wins it, I think the Caps are likely to be unstoppable all the way to the finish line.
It just seems to me to that Bell Centre is the last mental hurdle in his path— he’s battled this year through his tragedy, even talking about dealing with lost focus, etc, he’s had years of battling the Three-or-More (Four?) nickname, the constant looking over his shoulder at the up-and-comers, the whispering all over the place about his consistency, all leading to where he is now— the #1 going into the playoffs for the best team in the league.
If he wins in Montreal, I can just see it being the start of the tidal wave.
MOTIVATION...
The Caps has it.
Despite a ridiculous regular season and completely destroying the competition, I think the Caps have plenty of motivation to avoid a major let down such as the Sharks recent embarrassment. They still have plenty to prove!
1. AO has several reasons to go on a tear en route to the cup. Sid the Kid already has his cup, through the hands of the Caps no less. And AO didnt win the scoring title. I expect him to play with a slight chip on his shoulder and be very physical.
2. Everyone and their mother thinks the Caps “lack of defense”, especially on the PK and “weak” goaltending. Every single article you read is sure to note these two “weaknesses”. Majority of critics think the Caps do not have what it takes to win this thing. If the Caps stay out of the box, this will be a very long (ie short) series for the Hab-nots.
3. They were so close last year they could smell it. Anything less will be a major disappointment. They are a year older and a year matured. They didnt have many let-down games this year when we thought they might let us down. Lets hope this continues to be the case through the next few weeks.
4. Jose will be focused as ever. For the sake of vengence against his former team, and for the sake of his lost child. Obviously he cannot control everything but you know damn well he will be extremely ready to work and shut these guys down.
Side thought, when was the last time the Presidents Trophy winner won the Cup as well?
Et lux in tenebris lucet
A few random thoughts
First of all, PHOOEY on the EA Sports prediction, especially the outcome of a Caps/Pens series! If somehow it comes true I’ll join Gr8Laichs and hang myself in my basement!
Second, I concur with burgundyNgold about the motivation factors for Ovie and Theo. If Crosby winning the Stanley Cup (through the Caps), the Olympic gold medal (through Russia) and the Maurice Richard aren’t enough to arouse Ovie’s fury, nothing else will. As for Theo, he seems ready to translate his regular season success into playoff glory. Facing his former team in the first round is just juice for the goose. He’ll be ready.
Third, I agree with GnarlyVarly that Game 3 vs. the Habs is the pivotal one of the series. We should have a good idea of where the Caps are headed at this point.
Finally, an item from the Comcast Sports Net blog, which reports that Nick Backstrom was missing from this morning’s practice, no reason given. Does anyone have an update on this? Please tell me this isn’t the start of Caps drama going into the playoffs.
Oops I forgot
@Big Boutros: I didn’t notice your mention of Nick Backstrom being ill so that’s cleared up. But what’s up with Ovie being injured??? Please tell me this is a belated April Fools joke, only I’m not laughing. Just the opposite.
@burgundyNgold: Since you asked, I believe the Colorado Avalanche is the most recent team to win the Presidents’ trophy and the Stanley Cup, back in 2001. JR or someone else can correct me if I’m wrong. I live in Colorado, and had Avs season tickets then. I was at Game 7 vs the Devils, which was the most awesome experience I’ve ever had attending a sporting event.
Plekanec et Théo lancent les hostilités
Lundi, Plekanec a affirmé que le CH était avantagé à la position de gardiens.
La question initiale était : “Compte tenu que vous n’avez pas à vous frotter à des gardiens qui ont le numéro du Canadien, comme Martin Brodeur ou Ryan Miller, crois-tu que les Capitals sont vulnérables devant le filet? Que le Canadien est avantagé à ce chapitre?”
“Ils (les Capitals) n’ont pas de gardiens qui ont été à leur mieux cette saison, a répondu Plekanec. Je ne veux pas dire par là qu’ils sont mauvais, mais j’estime que nous n’avons rien à leur envier (devant le filet) c’est sûr.”
A une sous-question, Plekanec a précisé que les Capitals “ont trois bons gardiens, mais qui n’ont pas été aussi efficaces que Brodeur et Miller, ou d’autres de leur trempe. Nous voulons simplement préconiser notre style et lancer la rondelle de partout afin de voir si elle va pénétrer dans le but.”
This is my rough translation of the section of this story that quotes Plekanec.
Monday, Plekanec said that the Canadiens have the advantage at goalie.
The initial question was "Keeping in mind that you’re not contending with goalies who have the Canadiens number, like Martin Brodeur or Ryan Miller, do you think the Capitals are vulnerable in goal? That the Canadiens have the advantage at that point?
""The Capitals don’t have goalies who’ve been at their best this season," responded Plekanec. “I don’t want to say that their goalies are weak, but I don’t think we have anything to envy therm in goal, that’s for sure.”
To a follow up question, Plekanec added that the Capitals "have three good goalies, but they’re not as strong as Brodeur or Miller, or others at that level. We just want to keep to our style and shoot the puck from everywhere, and see if it goes in the net.’
The rest of the story repeats (in French) what we’ve heard from Theo and Bruce from the Caps website and the usual Caps sources.
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