Habs Lose Game Two - No Panic Until you Lose at Home

The Canadiens drop Game 2, but history shows the series doesn't truly begin until a home team loses. We break down key takeaways, standout performances, and why there's no need to panic—yet.

The Montreal Canadiens lost game 2 versus the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night in a 3-1 nail-biter, and they are currently down 2-0 in the series as they begin to head home to Montreal, which is starving for playoff hockey in their barn again. You know what they say, it's never over until you lose at home, and that will be the motto over the next 24-48 hours as we await the Habs to begin a crucial game 3 at the Bell Centre.

It was a better start to the game for Montreal compared to Game 1, when they looked completely disoriented and startled by the physically dominant Caps team, but they continue to put the foot on the brake pedal, which led to a dominant second period by the Caps, with two goals in 1 minute to ruin Montreal's 1-0 lead from Christian Dvorak. However, the third period showed promise for Montreal, but led to no goals scored and a lack of finishing, especially from Jake Evans who was so close to tying the game up. The way Montreal played the third period should be the staple to how this team should play a full 60-minute game on Friday and Sunday night at home.

Home Ice Advantage

You have to think that the cross-check on Cole Caufield in the dying moments of the game would've been called if the crowd was full of Habs fans right? Or maybe in any other given moment, considering the malicious intent behind it from Caps' Nic Dowd, who went teeth hunting despite Caufield not even having the puck on his stick. If the Capitals continue to play the dirty part of the game without the refs interfering, then it's fair game, and Montreal must do the same. (Insert Arber Xhekaj requests). It will be interesting to see how different the calls may be when the series takes over in Montreal, and perhaps the Capitals will be on the short end of the stick on missed calls. Anyways, refereeing woes aside, Montreal has to score more goals if they want to have any chance of winning this series against the 1st seed Caps and the red-hot Logan Thompson, who was the star of last night's game.

Changes to the Lineup?

It won't be a full teardown of the lineup because let's face it Montreal isn't deep enough to substitute 3-4 guys out of their lineup, but you can get an idea of who the leading candidates are to exit the lineup following last night's game.

Patrik Laine

Patrik Laine was subject to another disappointing game last night, with a few turnovers and a lack of effort, not to mention the struggles he is having as the power-play shooter, with nothing seeming to go in for him. He did not see the ice for a single shift in the third period, continuing to show the lack of trust from the coaching staff in Laine. Maybe he won't be out of the lineup, but there's a chance he continues to fall out of the lineup and perhaps lose his spot on the powerplay for someone like Ivan Demidov. 

Arber Xhekaj In?

Xhekaj has been the talk of the town despite him not suiting up since April 2nd with the Habs. Perhaps it may be time to insert the Sheriff after another underwhelming performance amongst Canadiens' defensemen, more specifically, a disappointing game from veteran David Savard, who couldn't seem to make an impact in the game. Not to mention how physically damaged the Habs' D line is facing, with them constantly being hit way more than they are hitting. While Xhekaj may not improve the team defensively, it's not like it has been a strong point in the first place; he may have more to give than the Habs have to lose if he's inserted in the lineup.

It won't be easy to crawl back, but they have the Capitals right where they want them, feeling comfortable with a 2-0 lead and at home at the victorious Bell Centre in which they are 10-0-2 since the Four Nations break. This will be a perfect opportunity for Montreal to take back control of the series and do what they have done all season long: crawl back from defeat. See you Friday.