The playoffs have always been tough. But I've never seen the level of nasty we saw in this series. I've been watching and/or playing this game for over 60 years. My hockey baptism only had 6 teams. But if this is what it takes then that's what Kent and the team need to do. #GoHabsGo - ThreadSky

ikigaisan.bsky.social • 6 days ago

The playoffs have always been tough. But I've never seen the level of nasty we saw in this series. I've been watching and/or playing this game for over 60 years. My hockey baptism only had 6 teams. But if this is what it takes then that's what Kent and the team need to do. #GoHabsGo

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davidolinger.bsky.social•6 days ago

I'd say the Boston-Vancouver series in 2011 was pretty dirty. But, yes, #Habs have to adapt. It's not just a question of whether an Arber Xhekaj is in the lineup. He and the few players who do hit don't throw devastating hits like Wilson and Ovechkin deliver. Overall team toughness needed.

esand33.bsky.social•6 days ago

I feel like Arber is more of an enforcer role they need a goon or 2

redgewayf.bsky.social•6 days ago

Ya gotta remember, Wilson is no goon. He led all forwards from either team with ice time. He kills penalties. He's on the power play. He scored 33 goals this year. He's dirty and plays on the edge but he is no goon.

davidolinger.bsky.social•5 days ago

Not a goon but clearly on and over the edge. Wilson has learned to rein it in when the game is on the line.

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

No question on his contributions but a lot of what he did in that series was right on the edge.

redgewayf.bsky.social•6 days ago

And that's exactly where the Caps want him to be. That's when he is most effective.

davidolinger.bsky.social•6 days ago

If a Wilson type is a goon. Ovi threw devastating hits, too. #Habs now have much of the skilled talent they need. What's lacking is that overall sandpaper. Washington has that with several players. Montreal needs to now round out its lineup with more guys that Xhekaj and Anderson. Make it a culture.

gullpondguy.bsky.social•6 days ago

F. Xhekaj, Tuch and Davidson as Laval's fourth line is a look I'd like to see for Montreal's bottom six in the next year or two. Lots of grit coming.

gullpondguy.bsky.social•6 days ago

Add guys like Thorpe, Protz and you have a nice combination of skill, size and grit that might dovetail well with the top 6 skill.

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

Agreed. They're both young though. We could use someone in their mid-late 20s who understand the game at the NHL level and add more than just beef. I don't have the answer but I'll be watching Hughes over the summer.

toeman18.bsky.social•6 days ago

We need guys like Duhamme and Dowd

davidolinger.bsky.social•5 days ago

Exactly. Gritty guys who can play regular minutes who add to the offence. The #Habs need a culture that balances skill and toughness.

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

Caps Tom Wilson on the Habs:

"I gained a lot of respect for that team over there. They got a bright future obviously. They competed really hard & they got a bunch of warriors…”

Coming from Wilson that says something.

davidolinger.bsky.social•5 days ago

Yeah, those were some good words, though he also mentioned the #Habs being cheap. Not sure what he meant by that. Maybe he needed the Canadiens to really rock one of their players.

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

Source:
https://x.com/Capitals/status/1917787311049433406?t=_rplFarTlYntS2ABbIMuIA&s=19

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

The Habs beat the Flyers 4 straight in the SC final in 1976. I was 21. It was quite a series. The Habs beat DuPont, Shultz, and Kelly et al with speed, skill and not taking the bait. IOW no retaliation. The biggest difference was the refs weren't afraid to call the blatant infractions.

davidolinger.bsky.social•5 days ago

Loved that series. And if any Flyers wanted to mess, The Big Bird was there to tune them in.

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

I'm not saying the Habs shouldn't go after some size. I think they could use some. But I don't want to see them resort to crosschecks to the face and 25-foot runs at a player without the puck. Fights? Sure. Tough, bone shaking hits? I'm all for it. Goonism and dirty plays, I can do without.

davidolinger.bsky.social•5 days ago

Totally agree. I am all for the big hits. You don't need to go looking for them. That's where a Xhekaj needs to learn.

randell.bsky.social•6 days ago

Montreal and Quebec had many physical games. Sometimes all players were fighting. They hated each other. Brothers fighting brothers. That was violent hockey.

ikigaisan.bsky.social•6 days ago

There's a difference between tough, hard hitting, in your face hockey and down right dirty crosscheck to the face bs.
I watched The Hammer, The Hound, and darling little Bobby pull this crap 50 years ago. I thought we'd gotten past that. Bettman's taking us backwards.

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