Canadiens Analysis
Canadiens Fans Given Encouraging Glimpse Into The Future
The Montreal Canadiens hosted the Washington Capitals on Sunday night, aiming to even their series against the top-seeded organization in the Eastern Conference.
The Habs would have to do it without their starter, as Samuel Montembeault was not cleared to play following his injury in Game 3. This led to Jakub Dobes making his first career start in the playoffs, while Cayden Primeau was recalled from the Laval Rocket as an insurance policy.
The Capitals emerged with a 5-2 win, including a two empty-net goals. This won’t be easy to swallow at first, since the excitement from the playoff run has overshadowed some of the necessary context, but all things considered, it was a valiant effort by the youngest team to ever qualify for the playoffs.
Let’s dive into the highlights!
Settling Down
Dobes quickly settled down after the opening goal of the game by the Capitals, a reasonable time frame when we consider he’s a rookie netminder who has not started a game since April 12.
Allowing opponents to score first is far from an issue in Montreal. In fact, it may be a crucial element to their chaotic game plan.
Regardless, fantastic work on a 5-on-3 penalty kill lifted the team’s spirits a little, with the Bell Centre faithful doing the rest of the work. At the risk of sounding more arrogant than usual, there’s almost nothing better than springtime hockey, and there’s absolutely nothing better than springtime hockey in Montreal.
That’s why Canadiens fans were united in euphoria following the team’s first goal of the game, which featured the youngest, second-youngest, and third-youngest players in the lineup.
Ivan Demidov capitalized on the open ice available on the powerplay to drive the puck down low, only to quickly find Juraj Slafkovsky unmarked once he emerged from behind the net. Phenom Lane Hutson also registered an assist on the play.
Ivan Demidov sets up Juraj Slafkovsky for a crucial goal to tie the game. #GoHabsGo
Lane Hutson also had an assist. pic.twitter.com/0mcbetrLAZ
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 28, 2025
X-Factor
You’d be hard-pressed to suggest the Canadiens are not a completely different team when Arber Xhekaj is in the lineup.
Josh Anderson has led the physical charge in the series versus Washington, but few other NHLers manage to drive opponents up a wall faster than Xhekaj, who garnered much of the attention from the Capitals bench throughout the game.
While the Capitals were paying close attention to Xhekaj, the Canadiens were free to focus on generating offence.
Xhekaj at work. Caps seem focused on him. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/UNAUko3JRd
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 28, 2025
Washington was desperate to respond to Montreal’s dominance in the war of attrition. This led to Alex Ovechkin taking a run at Jake Evans, which, in turn, led to a very well-deserved powerplay for the Habs.
Once again, it was the youngest players in the lineup that made a difference, with Demidov and Hutson earning their second assists of the period on Cole Caufield’s third goal of the playoffs.
The Habs take the lead on the powerplay after Ovechkin’s high hit.
Demidov to Hutson to Caufield. #GoHabsGo up 2-1. pic.twitter.com/hPUhti4CYv
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 28, 2025
Wilson Awakes
Credit where credit is due, it seemed like the Capitals were unravelling while focusing on landing big hits, but an absolutely thunderous hit by Wilson on Alexandre Carrier quickly swung the momentum to Washington’s corner.
Some fans will suggest it was an ugly hit, but he tucked his shoulder and he didn’t make initial contact to the head, which means it’s legal according to the NHL rulebook.
Such is life in the playoffs.
Big hits can lead to big moments, such as Andrew Mangiapane’s game-winning goal in the dying minutes of the third period.
Mangiapane has been annoyingly efficient for the Capitals in this series. In that, he annoys everyone and then puts together great shifts.
He scores a big goal to give Washington a late 3-2 lead. pic.twitter.com/iR0cH6nFA5
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) April 28, 2025
The Montreal Canadiens (1-3) are back in action on Wednesday, for Game 6 of their series versus the Washington Capitals (3-1). The puck drop is scheduled for 7 pm ET. All Montreal Canadiens statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise noted, via Natural Stat Trick.
Familiarity breeds contempt, but it also opens your eyes to other things too. I have to say, I really like Beauvillier. As a UFA at the end of the playoffs, I wouldn’t mind at all if we signed him. He’s a gamer. Adding him and Bennett this summer would be fantastic.
Loving to see Demidov coming into his own. If we can extend the series beyond game 5, he could actually become another excellent weapon in our arsenal.
Best game of Matheson’s career in all likelihood tonight. He was a PK beast. Hopefully he can get some props considering all the overblown trash talk he takes online.
I love Beauvillier as well but am curious as to where you think he would fit in on our team. I just don’t see any room for bottom six wingers on the Habs.
Don’t worry. I had similar thoughts. I can’t say for sure. I don’t expect a Laval kid to come in next year and be able to provide what Armia and Dvorak are able to at this experienced stage of their careers, so perhaps he takes Armia’s spot? I’m eventually picturing a 3rd line of Bennett, Beauvillier and Anderson after Hage has made the team and takes the 2C at some point. But by that time Anderson will likely be gone. Bennett would be the 2C until Hage is ready. Beauvillier could play on any of the 4 lines if needed though. I just admire his play in this series so far, so if we can figure out a spot for him, we could add a gritty guy for probably fairly cheap.
For whatever reason, the Habs stopped playing the hockey that won them game 3. Where did all the hitting go? Back to the fly-bys and nudges. SMH. Marty should have re-set these guys after the first period. And if I have to watch Dvorak stop short on a hit one more time I’m going to throw a chair at the tv. Even the Caps weren’t as physical as last game — except, of course, for Wilson. Disappointed Arber didn’t lay someone out. The opportunity didn’t present itself. And Anderson, I’m sure he’s got some kind of injury.
So, Caps get two sloppy goals, and two empty netters. And there goes the game.
However, if there is a silver lining, nay, a gold lining to this loss, it’s that we saw the Habs number one power play unit for the next decade. When these five kids reach their prime, and we have an NHL coach to lead the team, the sky will be the limit for this franchise.
What’s your beef with Marty? He seems to be doing a great job and this team is way way way ahead of schedule. Is it anything in particular. My only beef is his leash for Xhakaj seems much shorter then all the other kids.
The refs honestly drove me crazy with the way they called the game. Wilson should have been called for at least one if not two penalties early in the game, including in the third period. That freedom led to Wilson delivering that hit on Carrier (although I’m not saying that was a penalty. I think it was a borderline legal hit) Losing him for the rest of the game and perhaps longer, not to mention that the go ahead goal came on the same flow of play was a very unfortunate turn of events as you captured well in your recap.
I’ve noticed that Xhekaj seldom uses his 100 mile per hour slap shot. Is this because
1) they are afraid he will injure a teammate 2) they are afraid he will miss the net and
turn the puck over to the opponent or 3) his 70 mile per hour wrist shot is more accurate.
It’s brutal Stanley, an elite weapon and he won’t use it. He sits in the press box and wonders what he needs to do to get back on the ice… often he has time and space to rip it but stutter steps and then sends it across the blue to his partner. A shot like that leaves a mark, McInnis used to intimidate Patrick Roy with his blast. If Xhekaj uses his shot, there will be goals, rebounds and yes shot blockers coukd get injured. Similarly, if he hits hard and punches hard, opponents will possibly get injured. I know the shot has potential to be friendly fire but same goes for all elite velocity shooting defensemen. He scored 1 goal this year. Barely gets a shot per game. Regressed in shooting and production stats each year. He’s so worried about making a mistake that he won’t risk making a play. I blame Marty some, but this is on the player. If he doesn’t use his full skill set, he will lose his spot to another player at some point in the next year or so. I’d hate to see it as I have seen what he can do when he’s playing confident- he can be a huge asset.
cheap shot on Evans by Ovechkin and damn near the same by Wilson on Carrier. From the various post game shows I’ve watched, the opinions are varied on Wilson’s hit.
Pierre McGuire said it should at LEAST have been a charging penalty.
As far as Ovechkin’s also heard many say that should’ve been 5 minutes.
I guess that’s the only way the craps can win
I call Wilson’s charging!