Kevin Hayes is trying to set the record straight and make it seem like they were able to win without playing their best. However, I feel having that perspective mitigates what the Montreal Canadiens were able to accomplish in this series. Their players dominated at times, especially Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. That’s not all on the Flyers, that’s Montreal establishing a game, working at it, and capitalizing on those chances.
The Montreal Canadiens pulled the curtain back on the Philadelphia Flyers. Whether they want to admit it or not, they’re not as consistently defensive and aware as they put off. They did shutout the Habs in back-to-back games, but let’s not forget Montreal is a team that has chronic issues of goalless droughts, especially from their top players at times. For example, Tomas Tatar and Brendan Gallagher were their most productive players this season, and they didn’t find the back of the net as much as they could’ve.
The New York Islanders, on the other hand, completely dismantled the Washington Capitals. It was nearly a first-round sweep if not for Alex Ovechkin and his two-goal performance in Game 4. The Islanders consistently scored first in their games, shut down the neutral zone with their modified 1-3-1 coverage, and bide their time until they got an opportunity to hem them in their zone and score.
Hart is a great goaltender and will be for years to come, but Games 2 and 5 proved that if the Flyers’ system collapses, he allows goals.
Don’t be surprised to see the Islanders come out on top in this series against the Flyers. And if they do, the weaknesses the Montreal Canadiens exposed in them will be a part of it.