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Capitals take 2-0 series lead
Michaël Petit
Capitals take 2-0 series lead
Credit: Game #2 of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals took place on Friday evening. Many were hoping to see Arber Xhekaj inserted into the lineup, but they will be disappointed as the defensive pairings remained intact for the second duel between the two clubs. However, Martin St-Louis made some changes to […]
Game #2 of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals took place on Friday evening.

Many were hoping to see Arber Xhekaj inserted into the lineup, but they will be disappointed as the defensive pairings remained intact for the second duel between the two clubs.

However, Martin St-Louis made some changes to his trios and Ivan Demidov had two new trio mates.

The trios of Nick Suzuki and Christian Dvorak remained unchanged, but the young Russian sensation found himself alongside Jake Evans and Emil Heineman.

Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook played with Joel Armia.

Here are the complete line-ups for both teams:

I really like MSL’s trio changes involving Demidov.

Laine and Newhook weren’t ideal teammates for the Russian, especially Laine who, despite being an excellent maverick, is simply invisible and catastrophic on the ice.

With Evans, who is very responsible defensively, and Heineman, who has a very good shot, as well as being very physically involved, I saw a very interesting trio. The latter was hitting everything that moved on Monday. Heineman is also relatively reliable defensively.

The CH got off to a good start, setting the tone quickly, which they needed to do.

There were a few chances on both sides in the first twenty minutes, but it was relatively quiet, especially in the first half.

Josh Anderson was singled out, however, but for his robust play as he tackled his good friend Tom Wilson, resulting in a scuffle.

Anderson double-checked Wilson, who ended up on the ice.

Result: Anderson and Wilson in the penalty box, but the Tricolore found themselves short-handed, as Anderson had a double minor.

Fortunately for the Tricolore, no goals were scored on the sequence, as for the rest of the first period.

Overall, Martin St-Louis’s team played well, but struggled to get shots on net, registering just four short-handed shots as opposed to nine for the Caps.

Newhook almost gave his side the lead, but he split the air…

It didn’t take long to see a goal in the second period.

The Tricolore broke the ice thanks to Dvorak’s hard work in front of the net.

Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher were partners in crime on their trio’s goal.

Unfortunately for the Flanelle, Connor McMichael came on to tie the game.

And just a minute after that, Dylan Strome put the Capitals ahead.

On the Capitals’ second goal, Ryan Leonard picked up his first series point of his (very) young career.

Although the CH started the second period very well, two quick goals from their opponents seemed to have brought them down.

The club was no longer the same and stopped playing.

Not ideal in the playoffs…

After 40 minutes of play, the Capitals had the 2-1 lead in the game, but also the lead in shots on goal. In the second period alone, Washington fired 18 shots on net, as opposed to eight for the CH.

The third period saw Patrik Laine skip his turn at five-on-five, as Newhook joined Demidov and Evans.

This new trio had a great first appearance together.

And so it continued for Laine in the third, who was benched for the entire third period.

He’ll have plenty to think about, as he generates absolutely nothing apart from turnovers.

With just under two minutes to play, St-Louis pulled Montembeault in favor of a sixth player… and it was Gallagher who played the remainder of the game, along with Dvorak…

Why put Dvorak and Gallagher at the end of the game when the club absolutely needs a goal? I don’t really understand that one…

The Caps now lead the series 2-0.

The third game of the series takes place on Friday night, when the Tricolore make their Bell Centre debut.

Montreal will have to take advantage of its fans, who are the CH’s lethal weapon.

Will we see Arber Xhekaj in the lineup on Friday?


Extension

– Alexandre Carrier had another excellent game. He was very solid in his own zone and made some great passes. He kept it simple. He and Mike Matheson were the players St-Louis used most.

– Alex Newhook also had a very good game. Despite missing a golden chance in the second period, he was often in the game, especially in the third.

– Logan Thompson was smoldering throughout the game with several key saves. He repeatedly frustrated the CH players, especially in the final 20 minutes.

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