Capitals Game Notes: 3-1 win vs Montreal
- Maybe my attendance at these games isn't the kiss of death it was last year. First period made me think the trend would continue, but thankfully the Caps got out of their funk in periods 2 and 3.
- Taking Kuzy off line 1 and PP1 was definitely the right move. I don't doubt that he can get back to previous form as the year progresses, but he has struggled so far and Strome gave the first line a nice boost. Hopefully they can get on the scoresheet tonight, but they've been decent despite no results to show for it. MoJo also gave the PP a great new edge, and he looks like he learned a thing or two from Backy after all those years.
- Perhaps I was too harsh on the "don't sign Gustafsson" trade. He's been quite solid so far, and I like that Lavy has felt confident enough to move around Orlov and TvR between pairs when needed.
- I have a feeling we may actually see the end to Eller's time in DC quite soon. It seemed like he was taken off PK at one point after the 1st period, and that combined with the meeting with Lavy and the in-game signing of Milano, I think the management may be laying the groundwork for an Eller dump at some point. As long as MoJo continues to play well on PK and 5v5, I don't mind the move as much as I would have before.
- Gallagher going apesh*t at the end of the game was quite something. Funny to see Carlson coming out of the pile holding two Habs back.
- Other assorted player thoughts: Keumper bounced back to form after an ugly first goal by Montreal, Orlov laid one of the best hits I've seen in a while, Mantha and Jensen both looked good, Eller looked invisible, Sheary-Dowd-Hathaway is going to be amazing this season.
- Final Thoughts (an ode to MoJo):
