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41 goals allowed in 9 games: The Caps have the 9th worst defense in the NHL since February 1st
Marc-Olivier Cook
41 goals allowed in 9 games: The Caps have the 9th worst defense in the NHL since February 1st
Credit: Getty Images

It’s not going super well for the Capitals lately.

The Washington formation played this afternoon against the Blue Jackets and even if some players were left out – including Alex Ovechkin -, the Jackets easily won the game with a score of 7-0.

The Caps have only three wins in their last nine games…

But it goes even further than that.

If the Capitals have only three wins in their last nine games… it’s also because they have conceded a total of 41 goals (!) during that period.

Statistician Guillaume Villemaire also reports that the team has the 9th worst defense in the NHL since February 1st.

As the series approaches, we’re starting to find flaws in this team. Adding to that the fact that Logan Thompson is injured right now and the team’s number one goalie hasn’t played since April 2nd…

It’s relevant to talk about it because the Canadiens risk not joining the Senators in the standings in the East.

And if the Habs get their ticket to the series without joining the Senators, they will face the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite everything, we must not forget one thing: the Capitals have a big top-6 with players who have a big physical presence.

The Habs will have to be careful…

Being physical: the Canadiens’ mission against the Capitals

When we look at the Capitals’ formation on paper, it’s easy to notice one thing: the team relies on several players with a large physical presence.

On the top-6, we find…

  • Alex Ovechkin – 6’3″ and 238 pounds
  • Aliaksei Protas – 6’6″ and 247 pounds
  • Dylan Strome – 6’3″ and 196 pounds
  • Tom Wilson – 6’4″ and 225 pounds
  • Pierre-Luc Dubois – 6’4″ and 220 pounds
  • Connor McMichael – 6’0″ and 180 pounds

Taylor Raddysh (6’3″ and 200 pounds) and Brandon Duhaime (6’2″ and 210 pounds) are also two big players who play in a depth role.

The Capitals’ attack is not small, to put it mildly

And to neutralize the Capitals’ top-6, the Habs will have to find a way to be physical to destabilize the Washington formation.

Otherwise, the Caps will have fun against the Habs – especially in the offensive zone – because they have the assets to disrupt their opponents night after night.

But that’s also why the idea of inserting Arber Xhekaj into the formation makes sense.

The Canadiens must use the Sheriff in these moments… and they must trust him against a more physical team than the Habs.

Arber Xhekaj – following the return of Kaiden Guhle – has only participated in one of the Canadiens’ last seven games.

And without saying that his absence is sorely felt, we notice that the physical aspect is less present in the formation when he doesn’t play.

The Habs must exploit their strengths if they face a team like the Capitals in the playoffs.

Otherwise… what’s the point of having Arber Xhekaj if the Canadiens don’t take advantage of his qualities?

Xhekaj is not perfect and we all agree on that. But his presence on the ice disrupts other teams because he can be mean when needed.

And that’s where the Habs must take advantage… especially in the context where the team will need to hit in the series because we know how different it is.


Overtime

– Ouch.

– The guys are ready. I’m looking forward to seeing Fowler tonight!

– Note:

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