The Montreal Canadiens gave their fans a great show on Friday night, downing the Capitals 6-3 in Game 3 of the two teams’ first-round series. The Caps are now up 2-1 as the two teams prepare for another in Montreal on Sunday.
Well then. You can’t say that one went well.
- The Bell Centre was probably the loudest I have ever heard a hockey arena through a TV to start the game, and the home team was definitely fueled by that noise. The Capitals would catch a foothold in the game for a short amount of time, and then they’d chuck that Nick Suzuki line over the boards, and it’d go the other way real quick. The Habs out-attempted the Caps at five-on-five in all three periods, finishing up 64-36 in shot attempts. You’re simply going to need sheer luck or whatever magic the 2016 and 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins had to win games when you simply don’t have the puck for over 60 percent of the game.
- Primary concern number one is obviously Logan Thompson. He didn’t look comfortable the entire game, and then got taken out by Dylan Strome in the third period. I fear the worst but am hoping for the best. He has been outstanding in the series, and I just have little to no faith that Charlie Lindgren can turn his game around in time to have the same impact. Thompson made 30 saves on 35 shots before needing assistance to get off the ice. Lindgren then allowed the final Montreal goal, facing five total shots.
- Primary concern number two is that the Capitals simply do not have an answer to Montreal’s first line. The issue was obvious in DC, and it’s made even worse on the road as the Canadiens own last change. With Suzuki on the ice five-on-five in this game, the Habs owned shot attempts 26-9, shots on goal 16-4, scoring chances 12-5, and high-danger chances 5-2. I’m not sure what the solution is, but I imagine that’s the constant headache the Capitals’ coaching staff will be dealing with over the next few days.
- Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal of the series and the 75th of his career in the playoffs, passing Joe Pavelski (74) for sole possession of 13th on the all-time list. Ovechkin was very quiet for his standards, though, as Spencer Carbery had a really tough time getting him on the ice without having to force him into defensive situations. He posted just two shots on goal, five individual shot attempts, and one hit.
- They scored the first goal of the game, but the second line, led by Pierre-Luc Dubois, was torn to pieces five-on-five overall. With Dubois on the ice, the Caps saw negative differentials in shot attempts (-21), shots on goal (-9), scoring chances (-11), and high-danger chances (-6). With Aliaksei Protas likely returning on Sunday, do we think Carbery may try him on that line and promote Tom Wilson to the top group? We shall see.
- Related to the last bullet, who comes out of the lineup for Protas? Ryan Leonard is playing the fewest average ice time per game through three games (11:33), but has also been a difference maker several times on that third line. Is it Taylor Raddysh (12:08) again? Andrew Mangiapane (12:05)? I’ve seen some people for some reason, suggest Lars Eller, but I’m going to tell you I don’t think that’s ever happening. None of these guys are natural centers, and Eller has been fine.
Numbers thanks to Hockey-Reference, NaturalStatTrick, and HockeyStatCards.
