While the Montreal Canadiens were one goal away from winning game one of their first-round series against the Washington Capitals, the D.C. outfit outrageously dominated when it came to scoring chances.
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Only one Montreal line had the upper hand on Washington’s combinations—the top one. The unit formed by Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovsky has carried its dominating play into the playoffs, having 11 scoring chances while only surrendering three to the Caps.
It was much more difficult for the three other lines. Washington dominated the Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, and Brendan Gallagher trio 3-1, edged the Emil Heineman, Jake Evans, and Joel Armia combination 3-2, and obliterated the Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook, and Ivan Demidov line 10-1.
Should the Canadiens play the first frame of game two like they played the last 10 minutes of game 1, these numbers would probably be much better. If the Habs adjust their forecheck and can put the puck where they need it to be in the Capitals’ zone to apply pressure, the numbers will improve, at least for the Dvorak and Evans lines.
However, that won’t fix the Newhook combination issue, since the forecheck isn’t exactly their forte. In an ideal world, they would need to start with the puck already in the Washington zone, which is easier said than done. Changing on the fly while maintaining puck possession in the offensive zone is no small feat, and Newhook doesn’t have shining faceoff numbers. On Monday night, he only won two of his eight faceoffs.
Ivan Demidov dances into space and finds Alex Newhook for the opening goal of the game!#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/0Hrsz36Q2F
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 14, 2025
Perhaps the answer is to delegate another center to win the draw with orders to retreat to the bench once that mission has been accomplished, like Dvorak does when Martin St-Louis starts overtime with Suzuki, a blueliner, and him. Once puck possession is established, he retreats to the bench, and Caufield jumps on the ice. It could be one way to shield the unit, but that’s easier said than done.
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