I would like to recall a thread from powerplayer in the Sabres forum section. He disputed clear evidence that defense and goaltending wins in the playoffs. Now, please point out that I am in now way calling anybody out here.

However, I would like to point out that the Capitals losing to the Habs is the absolute definition of defense winning in the playoffs.

The Canadiens had an absolute fantastic goaltender in Jaroslav Halak, and a pretty decent defense back there, with experienced players like Hal Gill, Andrei Markov, and Jaroslac Spacek. What did the Capitals have? The Caps had a team that was offense first in every aspect. Why Mike Green is a Norris candidate is beyond me. Sure, the guy puts up points, but that's really about it. He's got a humongous shot from the point, and that shot gets through, getting him a ton of points. However, his defense reminds me a lot of Brian Campbell's, which I wouldn't say is non-existent, but it is certainly lacking. They also have questionable goaltending with Jose Theodore and Simeon Varlamov.

Another thing that wins in the playoffs is physicality, and although the Habs don't have a lot of it up front, they certainly have size on defense, and their 3rd and 4th lines surely set the tone. This was evident with the Sabres/Bruins series.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I think it just also shows that it really is a new season in the playoffs. Whatever happened in the regular season goes out the window. People are upset that the Sabres couldn't beat the Bruins, the lowest scoring team in the NHL. And the Caps, the highest scoring team in the NHL were just defeated by the Habs.

I'm not saying that it's "okay" that the Sabres were eliminated, and I'm as pissed off as anyone about it, but really...crazy things happen in the postseason and it's just so hard to predict what's going to happen.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

What I said was that there's not that big a difference in scoring between the regular season and the playoffs. All play is kicked up a notch, but defense isn't just shutting everything down---and we've seen a bunch of high scoring games already!

Also, it should be pointed out that I took the so-called rookie goaltenders seriously while others poo-pooed their chances in the post season.

Who kicked ass in the first round? Rask and Halak.

Who went home early? Brodeur and Miller.

I will say this much Semin can't handle the playoffs and last season the samething. Another Russian player who is completely worthless when it matters most.

Ouch...

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

Caps defeat = Bruce Boudreau is an idiot.

I don't ever recall seeing a series where one coach was so much better than the other. Julien made some great, great decisions throughout the series. Boudreau didn't do jack shit.

Caps: "Hey coach, this spreading out business on the power play doesn't seem to be working"
Boudreau: "Keep doing it."
Caps: "Yeah...still not working."
Boudreau: "Okay then, let's spread out further."

Sure the players could have done more. But when your power play goes 1 for 33 (which is the worst result in HISTORY where a team has had 30 or more PP attempts in a series) and you have Green Ovie and Semin on that PP, then you suck as a coach.

All he had to do to get more out of his top 2 lines was tell them to PASS THE PUCK !!! I don't think 3 minutes ever went by in this series without one of the Caps' stars trying to do everything himself and losing the puck in the process. The Habs were doing things on both ends of the ice from the very beginning that were causing problems, and Boudreau didn't adjust to any of them.

Julien was fantastic, but the Habs would have lost this series if Boudreau had done ANYTHING to help his team. You can blame all the Semins and Ovechkins and Backstroms you want. They would still be playing if they had any other coach.

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This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
--Emerson

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

In the playoffs the team with the best offense, the best defense and a competent goalie will win.

You can't rely on your defense and goalie to win in these playoffs. Not the cup at least.

That is the reason I say the West will easily win the cup this year, All four teams in the West have tremendous scoring ability, they also have a great puck possession game and a defense that helps their goalies, and all four have a goalie who can steal a game or makes the huge save to keep them in it.

Basically we have two defensive and goalie teams left in the East in Montreal and Boston and Pittsburgh and Philly are more of an offensive first type team. Maybe Philly is the most complete team in the East but with their top two forwards out it's anyone's game in the East to win, but the Stanley Cup will be in the West once again.

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It's because the Caps think any shot they take will go through. They are OVER confident in their offense instead of being SMART.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Upsets are so fucking annoying. Remind me why we play the regular season?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Wonder if they'll try to trade for Tim Thomas?

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

As a Sabres fan, it makes me feel better....

Can we all agree that run and gun does not win in the playoffs?? That is all Boudreau teams have been since Washington first came in to the playoffs back in 07.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13