NHL: Montreal lost leadership after a contradictory hit
Montreal. 110. Exactly so many years, five players have Montreal, who directed the power play on Sunday match against Washington.
The average age of the first power play is 22 years. It is historically the youngest « power-play » assembly of Montreal in the playoffs.
Five hockey players – Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov – have procured two goals of Montreal in numerous benefits. But that was not enough either.
Canadiens in the fourth match 1. Play-off round They succumbed to Washington 2: 5 AV series is already losing 1: 3.
Slafkovsky scored again, he was among the best
For the first time, the young five struck in the middle of the second period. It has already lost Montreal 0: 1.
Slafkovsky cleverly avoided Lars Eller in a numerous advantage on the blue line and took the puck into the attack zone.
« The entrance to the band from Slafkovsky, it was something, » commented on social network X overseas expert Eric Engels.
The puck was then taken over by Hutson, who moved it to Demidov. The Russian striker skilfully bypassed the defending player Washington.
Slafkovský asked the pass from behind the goal, got it and scored his second goal in this year’s playoffs.
Video: Juraj Slafkovský scored the second goal in the playoffs
The 21-year-old Slovak played very well again in the match. According to statistics, he was one of the best Montreal attackers.
The second time the « young five » struck eight minutes later. After a foul of Ovechkin to Evans on the ice, the first power play Canadiens skated again.
Demidov passed Hutson, who again Caufield, and the American shot the match to 2: 1.
« Our power play played very well, but we need to do more at 5 to 5, » said Nick Suzuki captain.
Hit that unleashed passion
Montreal’s hockey players had a win at 46 minutes. But then came a moment that several overseas experts described as decisive.
Capitals striker Tom Wilson attacked the home defender Alexander Carrier at a great speed. He was only lifted from the ice with difficulty.
While Carrier got on the inverter, Washington turned the game to the other side and, after a mistake by defender Matheson, who couldn’t throw the puck out of the band, Montreal collected a equalizing goal.
Montreal fans on social networks have pounded. According to them, Wilson hit Carrier in his head and was to point to the penalty bench.
Video: Second Washington goal after the hard hit Tom Wilson
Overseas journalists agreed that the referees made the right decision. The Athletic Portal Authors after the match statedthat it was a hard but pure hit. Expert STU Cowan from Montreal Gazette also had the same view of the situation.
« It has completely changed the dynamics of the game, » Capitals coach Spencer Carbery described the procedure.
But Canadiens felt wrong. The goalkeeper Canadiens Jakub Dobeš was also disappointed, who collected Mangiapane’s stick once more in the match. This intervention was finally winning.
« I’m a newcomer in this league, » he said. « I should have respect but it’s hard. I would like to say a lot of things but I should be quiet. »
« I really don’t know the rules, but I expected the referee’s whistle to come. It was a scary hit. I think the rules don’t apply to everyone, » spoke Dobeš.
The Czech goalkeeper also criticized the earlier hit Alexander Ovechkin at Jake Evans. Unlike Wilson, the Russian striker served a two -minute penalty for unauthorized interference.
Carrier was on the inverter in the care of doctors, he had an ice compress on his neck. But after a while he headed to the dressing room and did not play the meeting.
Washington scored twice more at the empty goal. The result of the match to 2: 5 was set by the key man of the Wilson match, who celebrated the exact hit directly in front of Montreal fans.
« The game is extremely hard. They hit, we hit. We get one body, the other we do, » explained Wilson in TNT TV.
Video: Montreal Match Editing – Washington
It was very difficult to evaluate the loss of Montreal coach Martin St. Louis. His team had a settled series within reach, and eventually the situation turned rapidly.
« I feel bad about the players, » he said. « I really don’t know what to tell them. If you have any answers for them, let me know, » St. Louis present journalists.
« It is hard to explain what I really feel. I will be careful with my words, but it was difficult to watch some decisions, » the home coach admitted.
If Montreal hockey players want to think of reversing the series in their favor, they must win in Washington.
On the night on Thursday (1:00 CET), there will be a fifth duel, which will decide whether the line -up around Juraj Slafkovsky will continue in the season or leave for vacation.
« It is hard to describe how much I am proud of our team that it is still fighting. We know we have to win at least one match there. We will try to stretch this series as much as possible. We have a very, very confident team and we will continue, » St. Louis.
