The Washington Capitals learned on Monday night that the Montreal Canadiens can't be taken lightly in this series. They might be the youngest team in the postseason and have some players making their playoff debuts, but the Habs are for real when they are at their best. The game's first 45 minutes wasn't the best display, but Montreal poured on the pressure in the third period and forced an overtime with two unanswered goals.
Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring, which was easy to see coming when a fire was lit underneath him by Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov. Laine and Demidov made some interesting comments about the new NHL goal king, and it was definitely some bulletin board material if Ovechkin needs that to get motivation.
"“I love Malkin much better than Ovechkin.”"Ivan Demidov
""Doesn't matter. Couldn't care less.""Patrik Laine on Ovechkin matchup
One of TSN's experts, Frank Corrado, tried to downplay the comments about Ovechkin, saying it was more about the Canadiens' focus than their Ovechkin opinion. I rolled my eyes when I saw those comments, as Corrado should know how easily Ovechkin could've used those comments as motivation, especially as someone who played in the NHL. It was a mistake by the Canadiens' two offensive threats, and everyone, including Corrado, knows it.
Ovechkin played Game 1 like he was shot out of a cannon. He started in the first period by finding Demidov in a scrum and giving him an extra shot. Demidov should remember what Ovechkin did to Andrei Svechnikov in a playoff series before he makes any more comments in the media, as we know he doesn't take kindly to any fellow Russians entering his turf.
Alex Ovechkin knocks out Andrei Svechnikov in a fight. Wow. pic.twitter.com/nbsxGSoRLQ
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) April 15, 2019
Ovechkin finished the game with his overtime winner early in the first extra frame. It was even sweeter for the NHL's goal king since Demidov and Laine both took a minus on the goal. It was Laine's inability to get the puck deep that led to a controversial icing call and that line getting stuck out there against Ovechkin. The last thing Martin St. Louis wants is for those players to have to face Washington's best, and an overtime icing is irresponsible from the trio.
Demidov and Laine should maintain their confident mindset. However, as Ovechkin taught them on Monday night, keeping those thoughts to themselves and between them and their teammates might be the right move to avoid any more three-point nights for The Great Eight.