As the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens gear up for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Capital One Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, both teams recognize the necessity for improvement and adaptation. Following a thrilling Game 1, where the Capitals managed to secure a 3-2 victory thanks to Alex Ovechkin's first Stanley Cup Playoff overtime goal, the stakes are high for both franchises.
Despite their Game 1 win, the Capitals are aware that they cannot afford to relax. Forward Dylan Strome emphasized the importance of a proactive approach, stating, "We played like we didn't want to give up the lead, and you've got to play on your front foot. You've got to play attacking." The Capitals aim to maintain their momentum and secure a commanding 2-0 lead in this best-of-7 series.
Historically, teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-7 series have an impressive record of 353-56 (.863), with an even stronger 266-34 (.887) record when starting at home. Washington hasn’t achieved a 2-0 playoff series lead since their matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of 2019, where they ultimately lost the series in seven games.
The Canadiens, on the other hand, are looking to capitalize on their strong third-period performance from Game 1, where they managed to erase a 2-0 deficit. Forward Jake Evans noted the importance of handling Washington's formidable forecheck effectively. "They bring a really hard forecheck, and for us, it's managing pucks outside the D-zone," he explained. The Canadiens will need to address their slow start in Game 2 to avoid falling behind early again.
Montreal's top line, consisting of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky, showed promise in Game 1, producing the Canadiens' only 5-on-5 goal. The power play also demonstrated improvement, converting 1-for-2 after struggling significantly during the regular season.
A major concern for the Canadiens will be containing the explosive play of Alex Ovechkin. After scoring 44 goals in the regular season and breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL goal record, Ovechkin's performance in Game 1 included two goals, one assist, and a game-high seven hits. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged the challenge posed by Ovechkin, stating, "You’ve got to be aware when he's on the ice." The Canadiens will need to closely monitor Ovechkin to limit his impact on the game.
As for lineup changes, neither team is expected to make significant adjustments from Game 1. The Capitals will, however, be without defenseman Martin Fehervary, who is out for the playoffs due to knee surgery. Meanwhile, forward Aliaksei Protas continues to recover from a skate cut on his left foot and is expected to miss his eighth consecutive game.
Throughout Game 1, the Capitals exhibited a physical game, delivering 27 of their 42 hits against Canadiens defensemen. Their power play continues to show promise, converting at a strong rate as they look to build on their success.
As the teams prepare for Game 2, the focus will be on how each side adapts to the other's strengths and weaknesses. The Capitals aim to leverage their high-danger shot advantage, while the Canadiens seek to tighten their defense and enhance their forechecking strategy. This matchup promises to be a thrilling continuation of the playoff series, with both teams eager to seize the upper hand.
