The Montreal Canadiens won their first playoff game since 2021 on Friday night. The Habs’ 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals at home now sees them trail 2-1 in the series. The Capitals came into the playoff matchup as the heavy favourites after finishing second in the NHL this season. They were able to impose their will physically over Montreal early in the series. The Canadiens were able to hang on in the first two games, but showed that they were a young team trying to navigate through their first playoff series. However, after the series shifted back to Montreal, a wild Game 3 has completely changed the series’ dynamic.
Let’s take a look at the Montreal Canadiens-Washington Capitals series so far.
A Look at the Montreal Canadiens Washington Capitals Series
Montreal Canadiens Gaining Momentum at Home
On Friday night, we saw why playing at the Bell Centre is the biggest advantage in professional hockey. The Montreal faithful were electric in Game 3 and gave the Canadiens some much-needed life in the series. Despite facing an early deficit following a Connor McMichael goal early in the first, the Canadiens dominated the Capitals for the first time in the series. The Habs outshot the Washington 40-21 and controlled most of the play in the game.
This includes the physicality department, where Montreal also led in hits, 45-26. The win gives Montreal some momentum in the series moving forward. The Canadiens won’t be pushed around anymore in this matchup, and they now have proof that they can take down the juggernaut Capitals. We can credit the home-ice advantage for this shift in momentum, but some key roster changes also played a huge role in Montreal’s success.
Roster Changes Were Key for Montreal
Montreal announced ahead of Game 3 that forward Patrik Laine would miss the game with an upper-body injury. Laine was benched for the entirety of the third period in Game 2. Originally, this appeared to be a disciplinary move by Martin St. Louis due to Laine’s poor play. However, the injury announcement now sheds some light on the situation. Laine missed the first two months of the season after a knee injury he suffered in the preseason.
Oliver Kapanen took his spot in the lineup and was tasked with centering the team’s fourth line. Laine’s play in the series has been a disappointment for Montreal, and it has cost them at times in the series. He has also struggled on the power play as of late. In his absence, rookie Ivan Demidov took his place on the top unit. Demidov gave the power play a much-needed change, and they converted twice in Game 3 on the man advantage.
The second major roster change for Montreal was the return of Arber Xhekaj. He was a healthy scratch for Montreal in the first two games in favor of Jayden Struble. However, after Washington imposed their will physically over Montreal, it was clear the team needed Xhekaj back in the fold. Even though he didn’t drop the mitts on Friday, it was clear the effect his presence had on the team.
The Canadiens played much more physically with Xhekaj in the lineup. This was highlighted by a bench-clearing brawl at the end of the second period that saw Josh Anderson and Tom Wilson tussling in the Capitals bench. Both players were subsequently fined $5,000 for the incident. Xhekaj’s presence was a welcome addition for the Canadiens, and their roster moves were key to their newfound success.
Goaltender Injuries Change the Series
One of the biggest takeaways from Game 3 is the health of the goaltenders in the series. Both goalies, Samuel Montembeault and Logan Thompson were forced to leave the contest due to injury. Neither player would return to the game. Montembeault was in some discomfort after a routine play and appeared to have pulled or strained something in the lower body.
As for Thompson, teammate Dylan Strome crashed into him at the end of the play that led to Juraj Slafkovsky‘s goal. Thompson was forced into the post and was in obvious pain, having to be helped off the ice. Thompson recently returned from an injury that saw him miss the final weeks of the season. In their place, rookie Jakub Dobes and Charlie Lindgren came into the game, both surrendering a goal.
The injuries have the potential to completely change the series in either direction. While we don’t yet know the status of either goalie moving forward, we have to assume that both are in serious jeopardy of being out for the remainder of the series. It’s hard to say who has the edge between Dobes and Lindgren. Lindgren has far more experience. However, Dobes has been lights out at times for Montreal this year. The deciding factor will be the team’s play in front of them and how they are able to respond to losing their starting goalies.
Looking Ahead to Game 4 of Montreal Canadiens Washington Capitals Series
As we now look ahead to Game 4, the biggest talking point will be the health of the goalies. However, there are some other things to consider. The Canadiens have shifted the dynamic of the series after Game 3, but it will be interesting to see how Washington responds. The Capitals need to take the life out of the Bell Centre early in Game 4 and take a stranglehold on the series moving forward.
All the pressure is on Washington in this series, and Montreal has all the momentum right now. The Capitals will need to find a way to shut down Montreal’s top line of Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, as well as defenceman Lane Hutson. Montreal doesn’t have the depth to compete with Washington offensively outside of their star players. Washington could also get an offensive boost in Game 4 with the potential return of Aliaksei Protas from injury.
The Montreal Canadiens are riding high after a huge win and will look to continue their momentum in Game 4. This will be the most pivotal match in the series and will decide if Montreal can tie things up or if the Capitals can take a commanding lead. There is a lot to look forward to in this series for fans. Will Montreal pull off the upset, or will Washington take the life out of the Canadiens?
Main photo by: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The post Montreal Canadiens Climb Back Into the Series Following Wild Game 3 appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.