Habs @ Caps
As you will note in my
run down of the Capitals side of things for tonight's game with the Habs, tonight's game is more than just a battle between two Conference rivals.
The Canadiens and Capitals are two teams in search of an identity as they try to battle their way up the standings towards home-ice advantage and both see this evening's contest as the start of the real hockey season, but only 1 team is going to walk away with the win and, despite a loss to the Capitals in December, the Canadiens are one of many teams who seem to hold a mental edge over the Capitals these days.
The Canadiens, as we all recall, defeated the Capitals last spring during their surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals and shed light on a what many now consider to be a one-dimensional and overrated Washington club.
Since then the Caps have drastically altered their playing style, placing renewed emphasis on the defensive aspect of the game - a direct reflection of their defeat at the hands of the Habs last spring and evidence of a concerted effort to become an all around contender.
But the Caps aren't there yet, and a major reason for that is confidence.
Much like the Canadiens and the search for an offensive spark, the devotion and commitment to defense has ultimately cost the Capitals their trade mark offensive prowess, but for them to return to their dominant former selves, they need to beat teams like Montreal.
As a matter of fact, they absolutely need to beat Montreal in order to rebuild their confidence - and that is where these Habs hold an upper hand over the Caps.
Canadiens Intimidating?
Although they've already been shutout once by the Caps this year, the Canadiens are in the Capitals heads and, given how they have addressed their systems play, are obviously styling their game in a way that can beat not only the Canadiens but the other hard working teams in the East.
And therein lies the Canadiens challenge in the 2nd half of this season.
With the reputation gained from last seasons playoffs, many are expecting the Habs to surge in the 2nd half and into the playoffs, but that will require the exact same amount of diligence and effort that the Capitals need to put in during the 2nd half, and given that Montreal plays the Capitals more times than anyone else but two other opponents until the end of the year, these contests and 6 points will be as important, if not more, than most of Montreal's remaining games.
Neither of these teams can afford to leave the ice without at least one point tonight, so don't be surprised if this one goes to extra time.
It may only be the 1st of February, but it's the start of playoff season and Canadiens and Capitals are under serious pressure to prove many critics wrong.
- Eric and Steve break down the Canadiens and Capitals starting lineups, pertinent stats and what they mean heading into tonight's contest as well as what a win or a loss will mean in the standings.
Buyers Vs Buyers
As mentioned in the title and in the article, these two teams are both in the mix as it concerns to the playoffs as well as the trade market.
Both have decent if not great cap space; Montreal - approx. $3.5m / Washington - approx. $4.9m, so it should come as no surprise that both are in the market to make medium to major additions for their run, but I also find it very interesting how both of these clubs use one another as measuring sticks.
Since last season's playoff series, the Habs have been in search of the right way to bring extra offense to their game plan and, in complete contrast to that, the Caps have done almost everything in their power to re-orient their game plan towards a two-way game. Ironically they are now in direct competition with one another in the standings.
But there is also the matter of what either side needs to be successful in the 2nd half and the tie-in between both clubs in regarding to trades.
The Habs and Caps are no strangers to pulling off deals with each other, and with the Caps former pro scout now sitting as the Canadiens GM's current right-hand man, I'd wager that management on both sides would not be opposed to talking shop. But that is speculation at this point as I have yet to dig any further than that, needless to say that I thought it to be an interesting piece of information most may not be picking up on.
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- Steve and Eric conduct a quick breakdown of the Canadiens remaining 32 games, how they've gotten to where they are and what it will mean for them moving forward.
- The Playoff Sprint will air every 2 Monday's until the end of the season, updating you on the specifics of the Canadiens in their pursuit of a playoff spot.
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