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The Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Sunday to take a 3-1 series lead. This series has ben chippy, with a fight bleeding onto the bench during Game 3 and some big hits in Game 4. Tom Wilson crushed Alexandre Carrier, which did not end in a penalty. But Alex Ovechkin’s crushing hit on Jake Evans did draw a penalty that led to a Cole Caufield goal. Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes thinks Ovechkin should be suspended, with the Capitals on the brink of clinching the series.
“I seriously don’t understand why it happened.” Dobes said, “I feel like the game was pretty much over when Ovi [Ovechkin] took a hit on Jake. I think it was at least [worth] a suspension for a game, but I guess not,” Dobes said, per the Associated Press.
He continued, “I don’t have answers for you guys. I have to watch it again, but it’s just unfortunate because you don’t want to see one of our better players skating around the ice concussed. It was just a weird game today, I guess.”
The game was decidedly not over after that hit. Ovechkin went off for two minutes but was only in the penalty box for 30 seconds before Caufield scored. That goal gave the Habs a 2-1 lead going into the second intermission. They gave up four goals in the third period, two into the empty net, to lose the game.
Ovechkin will likely not be suspended for the hit. It takes a lot to be suspended in the playoffs, and you can make an argument that Evans and Ovechkin just ran into each other. The Canadiens have to win out to upset the Capitals in the first round. Despite Dobes’ protests, they will likely have to face Ovechkin in each game to do it.
More must-reads:
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- The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz
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Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
Justin Fields Called 'Biggest Loser' In Jets Training Camp
The New York Jets opted to cut Aaron Rodgers and sign Justin Fields to replace him during the offseason. This kind of commitment to Fields should bolster his confidence, but it could also place a lot of pressure on his shoulders. To this point, Fields has looked solid in training camp, aside from a scary toe injury that was quickly resolved in July. Justin Fried of the Jet Press recently reported that Fields' training camp may have reached a new low over the weekend as the young signal caller struggled. "Justin Fields put together his best practice of the summer to this point on Friday, completing his first 12 passes en route to an excellent all-around performance. The same can't be said about his showing on Saturday, however," Fried wrote. "Fields finished the day an abysmal 2-of-10 in the air, including a drop from rookie tight end Mason Taylor. "Some of his incompletions were catchable balls, but the Jets' passing game struggles on Saturday can largely be blamed on No. 7. Fields did flash his running ability with a 25-yard rushing score on the first play of red-zone drills, but the Jets would like to see more consistency in the air from the starting quarterback. Saturday's scrimmage was far from his best showing of the summer." Fields is a runner first at the NFL level, but his arm is nothing to scoff at. For most of training camp, his arm talent has been better than advertised, but during Saturday's scrimmage, it just wasn't there. A 2 for 10 performance is unacceptable for a $40 million quarterback who was signed to take over the team. The running game should open up the passing game for the Jets, which is going to need to be the case if Fields is going to struggle like this. However, it's just one day of camp. It's nothing to be too concerned about. Just because Fields lost this specific practice doesn't mean he's heading in the wrong direction as a whole.
Cowboys former first-round pick forced to leave practice due to injury
Injuries have been a prevailing theme for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. They’re still without Trevon Diggs, Shavon Revel Jr., and Josh Butler, which has thinned out the secondary. On offense, they’ve had better luck but still lost starting left tackle Tyler Guyton for several weeks. Now another projected starter had to leave practice on Monday. 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith had to visit the medical tent, then headed to the locker room following the examination from the team’s medical staff. Smith is entering his third season in the league, and can ill-afford to miss time. He’s been struggling to hold down a starting spot and enters the preseason in danger of losing his job. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 337 pounds, Smith was brought in to be a run-stuffing nose tackle. Through two years, he’s been unable to find his footing, recording 54 tackles and two sacks. It’s not fair to place all of the blame on Smith, however. He’s been asked to perform different roles under three different defensive coordinators. Dan Quinn had him playing as an attacking 3-tech in 2023 while Mike Zimmer placed him in a more traditional 1-tech role. Smith performed better under Zimmer, but is asked to do more attacking under new coordinator Matt Eberflus, which has put his struggles front and center once again. Should he miss extensive time with this injury, it could be devastating to his chances of keeping the starting job.
Washington Commanders release first unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason Week 1 game vs. New England Patriots and it answers some questions
The Washington Commanders are traveling up to New England for their first preseason game on Friday vs the Patriots, which means we get our first look at the unofficial depth chart. I want to put an emphasis on the word unofficial because this doesn't mean this is how the team will look, or how certain guys rank, but it's still a foundation to build off of. Quarterbacks The only real notable storyline to watch in the QB room is who wins the battle for QB3. Hartman has had a solid camp, but Johnson brings a veteran presence to the room. Whoever can fill in without hiccups will be the one who wins the last spot. Hartman and Johnson will get a lot of preseason reps. Wide Receiver No real surprise when you think about how HC Dan Quinn approaches the depth chart, and he makes every rookie earn their spot. Jaylin Lane will quickly shoot up the depth chart, but this is also a good sign for Luke McCaffrey. WR is another deep position with plenty of preseason snaps available. Running Back Have no fear, Croskey-Merritt truthers, he will get his chance to show what separates him from the other running backs. His listing as the fifth string actually allows us to see more snaps for the seventh-round rookie gem. Offensive Line Of course, everyone will look at the RT spot. That's exactly what I expected to see with Wylie OR Conerly Jr. being listed as the starters. I predict we could see Wylie start the season at RT with split time with Conerly Jr., similar to what they did last year with Cornelius Lucas and Brandon Coleman. I also think the depth can move around to different positions easily. Tight End No surprises here for the tight end group. I'm obviously most excited to see Ben Sinnott in his second season in the league and hopefully get a decent amount of playing time in preseason again. Defensive Line The defensive line has a lot of bodies and better quality to stop the run this season. Preseason players to watch, in my opinion, include Jean-Baptiste, Barber, and Goldman. The depth will be a close race when the season approaches. Linebackers The biggest thing that stands out for the linebacker room has to be rookie Kain Medrano, listed as a linebacker after being labeled as a tweener between linebacker and safety. This could indicate where they feel he is best right now. I'll be keeping count on Medrano's snaps in preseason. Cornerbacks You're reading that right, Quinn put a rookie as the starter already, and it's not a surprise when Trey Amos has had a flawless training camp. The depth with Igbinoghene and Jones gives the Commanders a major boost that's been missing for years. Vigers is a sleeper who can impress in the preseason. Safeties The safety room looks as expected, and Owens is listed at safety after getting some reps at linebacker. Owens is the one player who has a lot to earn in the preseason to fight for a final roster spot. Special Teams I do not doubt that Jaylin Lane will be the starting punt returner this season. I am surprised that Deebo Samuel isn't listed anywhere as a kick returner since he got a lot of starting reps there with Ekeler. Remember, this is the first unofficial depth chart for the first preseason game against the Patriots, and there will be a lot of movement as the season gets closer. This is a great foundation to build off of, though, and see how things develop after each game. Rookies like Kain Medrano and Jacory Croskey-Merrit can make a lot of noise in the preseason and shake things up.
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