The air crackled with electricity, a palpable buzz that only comes with the heat of a playoff battle. The Capitals, fuelled by a raucous home crowd, answered the Canadiens’ roar with a resounding 3-1 victory, solidifying their grip on the series with a commanding 2-0 lead. But as the celebrations faded and the echoes of victory reverberated through the arena, one question lingered: can Montreal claw their way back from the brink, or will the Capitals silence their Canadian rivals and march closer to Stanley Cup glory?
Strome’s Easy Goal Turns Game in Favor of Capitals
Out of almost nothing, the Capitals turned the game upside down to lead 2-1 from a 1-0 deficit. Hockey is a game of chaos. It is also fickle. Montreal deserved better, but one seeds somehow figure it out, even when they don’t merit it.
Chaos and Fickle Nature of Hockey on Display
Hockey is such a game of chaos. Montreal was handling the situation in Washington so extremely well. They were leading and in control. But puck luck struck fast and it struck hard. Connor McMichael didn’t have much going for him on his foray around the net. He was alone with two defenders surrounding him. McMichael simply threw it back to the middle. He didn’t even throw it at the net. The attempt had zero chance of success on its own.
However, you can’t plan for a 90-degree billiards bounce off a shin pad and into the net off David Savard. Less than a minute later, not much of a powerful shot. It was an easy handle for Samuel Montembeault. However, the rebound went off his pad at the perfect moment that Dylan Strome was doing a fly-by. An easy goal for Strome.
Capitals’ Late Hits: A Growing Concern
An aspect of the games that has gotten no attention at all, yet seems unusual is the Capitals’ stunning amount of late hits. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News’ Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Rulebook Allows for Completion of Checks After Puck is Gone
No one is even talking about it on the broadcast or around the league, but the rulebook does say a player is allowed to complete his check only 1.5 to two seconds after the puck is gone. Many hits from Washington are coming well after two steamboats.
Implications for Canadiens: Need for More Size and Physicality
There has to be an expectation that there won’t be a hit after the puck is gone three seconds, or it isn’t actually even hockey anymore. It is simply indiscriminate hitting. It’s wrestling with sticks. If this much hitting is allowed when a player hasn’t even possessed the puck for three seconds, then the Canadiens are too small a hockey team, and they need to fill their roster with much more size.
Is Playoff Hockey Too Intense or Too Physical?
The league is proud that the regular season and playoffs are different, but intensity can’t be solely defined by this. Better playoff hockey has to include the actual puck.
Playoff Hockey: More Than Just Intensity
Is playoff hockey better than the regular season? Or is it simply that more is on the line during the game, so it feels better? Personally, it doesn’t feel that entertaining to me. Goals go down. Chances go down. Excellence by talented players goes down. Puck skills go down. Late hits go up. Crosschecks go up. Sticks go up. Tackling goes up.
Conclusion
The Capitals’ resounding 3-1 victory over the Canadiens in Game 2 sends a clear message: Washington is coming to play. While the series is far from over, the Capitals’ dominance in the first two games, fueled by strong goaltending from Darcy Kuemper and clutch offensive contributions, has solidified their position as the early favorites. Montreal, facing an uphill battle, needs to find answers quickly if they hope to avoid an early exit.
This series is more than just a battle for playoff supremacy; it’s a clash of styles. The Capitals, veterans of many battles, are relying on their experience and defensive prowess, while the younger Canadiens are showcasing their speed and offensive firepower. The outcome will likely hinge on which team can adapt and adjust to the other’s game plan. As the series progresses, we’ll see if Montreal can turn the tide or if the Capitals will continue their march towards a deeper playoff run.
The question now remains: Can the Canadiens overcome this early deficit and write their own narrative, or will the Capitals’ call to the wild prove too strong to resist? Only time will tell.