Philadelphia Flyers
posted by Kevin Mio at 8h59 EST on May 4
posted by Dave Stubbs at 8h42 EST on May 4
Nothing planned for the Canadiens on this rainy Montreal morning. Players likely will drift through the Bell Centre tomorrow to pack up for the summer, and there will be an early-week media debriefing by general manager Bob Gainey and head coach Guy Carbonneau.
Linked below: audio of players and Carbo gathered shortly after the Philadelphia Flyers had eliminated the Canadiens from the playoffs on Saturday night. Thanks to our friends at RDS, Luc Gélinas working the dressing room, for putting his mic in scrums while we were elsewhere.
• Carbo • Koivu 1 • Koivu 2 • Price 1 • Price 2 • Higgins • Streit • Latendresse • Gorges
posted by Kevin Mio at 18h18 EST on May 3
Canadiens' Christopher Higgins slides into Flyers goalie Martin Biron after a hit by Mike Richards Saturday night at the Bell Centre. John Kenney, The Gazette
Lineups | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone | Game Story |
Not even Guy Carbonneau's lucky tie could save the Canadiens this time.
The Philadelphia Flyers eliminated the Canadiens from the postseason with a 6-4 win on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
It was a game the Canadiens probably shouldn't have lost - as was the case several times in this series - but in the end, Montreal made a few too many mistakes as key moments that allowed the Flyers to advance to the Eastern Conference final.
Continue reading "Round 2, Game 5: Flyers send Canadiens packing" »
posted by Dave Stubbs at 16h28 EST on May 2
Pat Hickey checks in from Jacques Lemaire Arena in LaSalle with these line combinations being used in the Canadiens practice as we write:
Andrei Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Kovalev
Higgins-Koivu-Sergei Kostitsyn
Bégin-Smolinski-Kostopoulos
Lapierre-Streit-Latendresse
posted by Kevin Mio at 8h37 EST on May 2
The Canadiens and Flyers had a day off on Thursday as they prepare for Game 5 on Saturday night with Philadelphia holding a 3-1 series lead.
Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau has decided who his starting goaltender will be, but he has not made that decision public and might not do so until Saturday.
The Flyers, meanwhile, will be on the ice in Philadelphia Friday morning before heading to Montreal where they hope to close out the series and avoid what happened in Round 1, when they allowed the Capitals to come back from a 3-1 deficit before the Flyers finally won the series in Game 7.
The Canadiens are the last team to win a series after trailing 3-1 when they did it in 2004 against the Boston Bruins, but this will be a tough task for the Habs.
Here's a look at what's being said:
• Dave Stubbs: Moral victories not enough
• Pat Hickey: Biron refuses to take credit
• Hickey: Flyers' Dowd isn't getting younger, but career is far from over
• The Gazette's Jan Ravensbergen: Canadiens fans lse faith in bleu-blanc-rouge
• The Gazette's Herb Zurkowsky: Carbo keeps cool
• Canoe.ca: Journal de Montréal coverage en français
• Cyberpresse.ca: La Presse coverage en français
• Ray Parrillo, Philadelphia Inquirer: Habs wonder what's gone wrong
• Tim Panaccio, Philadelphia Inquirer: Brière: Depth and versatility fortifying Flyers
• Inquirer: Defence is a chip off the old block
• Ed Moran, Philadelphia Daily News: In Game 5 against Canadiens, Flyers look to avoid rerun of Round 1
• Ed Barkowitz, Daily News: Canadiens won't reveal goalie of choice yet
• Tim Wharnsby, Globe and Mail: Carbonneau gives troops a day off as tall task looms
• Roy MacGregor, Globe and Mail: Brière the invisible superstar makes his mark
posted by Kevin Mio at 9h42 EST on May 1
The Canadiens had stormed back in Game 4, scoring two goals in 37 seconds in the third period to erase a 2-0 Flyers lead and looked to have all the momentum. But then, Steve Bégin, a player who has given a lot to this team, took that all away with what was a very stupid penalty.
Daniel Brière scored on the ensuing power play and the Flyers went on to a 4-2 win and took a 3-1 stranglehold in the Eastern Conference semifinal series. Martin Biron was again the big story for the Flyers as he stoned the Canadiens through two periods and had made 32 saves before allowing the first goal. Montreal will look to stay alive on Saturday night when the two teams square off at the Bell Centre.
Here's a look at what's being said about Wednesday's game:
• Dave Stubbs: Habs are on the brink of elimination
• Pat Hickey: Habs behind eight ball
• Hickey: Going with Halak a gutsy decision
• The Gazette's Max Harrold: Hockey legends gather for Béliveau honour
• Canoe.ca: Journal de Montréal coverage en français
• Cyberpresse.ca: La Presse coverage en français
• Ray Parrillo, Philadelphia Inquirer: Canadiens switch goalies, but don't improve luck
• Tim Panaccio, Philadelphia Inquirer: Brière's goal gives Flyers 3-1 edge
• Phil Sherida, Inquirer: Brière skates, fans anticipates
• Ed Moran, Philadelphia Daily News: Flyers take 3-1 series lead
• Moran: Umberger playing major role for Flyers
• Sam Donnellon, Daily News: Biron has been saving grace for Flyers
• Tim Wharnsby, Globe and Mail: Biron, Brière baffle Habs
• Roy MacGregor, Globe and Mail: Carbonneau rolls the dice in goal
posted by Dave Stubbs at 1h28 EST on May 1
PHILADELPHIA – Coach Guy Carbonneau's media briefing and the Canadiens who were in the dressing room after Wednesday's 4-2 Game 4 loss.
• Carbo • Halak • Komisarek • Smolinski • Koivu
posted by Kevin Mio at 21h40 EST on Apr 30
Canadiens' goaltender Jaroslav Halak looks behind him as Flyers R.J. Umberger scores the games first goal on Wednesday night. John Kenney, The Gazette
Lineups | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone | Game Story | Stubbs: Goalie gamble fails
A Canadiens comeback was for naught on Wednesday night as Daniel Brière scored the game-winning goal with 3:38 to go in the third period of Game 4 as the Flyers grabbed a 3-1 series lead after a 4-2 win at the Wachovia Centre in Philadelphia.
The goal came with Steve Bégin in the penalty box after taking a dumb penalty after his team had managed to score two goals in 37 seconds in the third period to tie the game 2-2 after once again falling behind 2-0 to the Flyers.
Before the game, the big story was the decision by Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau to start Jaroslav Halak in nets instead of Carey Price.
But as was the case in Game 3, Flyers goaltender Martin Biron stole the spotlight as he has put up a wall against Canadiens' shooters and turned aside 32 shots until a Josh Gorges' shot went off Flyers defenceman Derian Hatcher and eluded Biron with 7:01 to go in the game.
Only 37 seconds later, Saku Koivu tied the game 2-2 when he gathered the rebound of a Mark Streit shot and slid it beyond an outstretched Biron.
In all, Biron stopped 36 of the 38 shots the Canadiens directed his way.
Continue reading "Round 2, Game 4: Bégin penalty costs Canadiens" »
posted by Dave Stubbs at 19h05 EST on Apr 29
PHILADELPHIA – Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau says he hasn't yet decided on his goalie for tomorrow's Game 4, and adds that it won't be decided until game time.
That said, Carey Price was in the dressing room after today's practice long before Jaroslav Halak, who mopped up Game 3, and was in good spirits in a long chat with the media. Price's earlier arrival suggests he gets the start, and Carbo's Cheshire-cat grin suggested he knew much more than he was letting on.
• Guy Carbonneau • Carey Price
posted by Dave Stubbs at 6h32 EST on Apr 29
PHILADELPHIA – Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau and captain Saku Koivu in the moments following last night's Game 3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Canadiens practice at noon today in advance of tomorrow night's third game in this series. We'll be there to check in with the news and audio.
• Carbo 1 • Carbo 2 • Koivu
posted by Kevin Mio at 16h16 EST on Apr 28
Canadiens' Carey Price looks back at a Mike Richards' shot that eluded him on Monday night. John Kenney, The Gazette
Lineups | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone | Pat Hickey's game Story
The Philadelphia Flyers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal on Monday night and forced Canadiens rookie Carey Price from the net and held off a third-period charge by the Canadiens to grab a 2-1 lead in the series with a 3-2 win at the Wachovia Centre.
It's the first time the Canadiens have trailed a series during the 2008 postseason.
After goals by Scottie Upshall, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger in the second period, Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau replaced Price with Jaroslav Halak for the third period. Price allowed three goals on 12 shots.
The Canadiens power play, which the Flyers shut down in the first 40 minutes, came to life in the third period as Montreal was able to score twice during a five-minute power play after Flyers defenceman Derian Hatcher took a major penalty for boarding Canadiens defenceman Francis Bouillon behind the Philadelphia net.
Tomas Plekanec scored the first goal as he pushed a loose puck behind Biron at 7:29 into the third period. Captain Saku Koivu netted Montreal's second goal 1:12 later when he grabbed a rebound and went around Biron and slipped the puck into an empty net.
But Biron was the big story of the game again, just like in Game 2, as he made 32 saves as the Canadiens dominated the shot clock 34-14, with the Flyers shooting only twice on Halak in the third period.
Continue reading "Round 2, Game 3: Canadiens can't solve Flyers, Biron " »
posted by Dave Stubbs at 14h01 EST on Apr 28
posted by Kevin Mio at 7h58 EST on Apr 28
posted by Kevin Mio at 9h05 EST on Apr 27
posted by Kevin Mio at 21h01 EST on Apr 26
Canadiens' Carey Price fishes the puck out of the net as
Flyers' Vaclav Prospal his team's third goal in the second period on Saturday night. John Kenney, The Gazette
Lineups | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone | Pat Hickey's game Story
The Canadiens couldn't capitalize on their chances against the Flyers and Martin Biron on Saturday night as the Flyers managed to level their Eastern Conference semifinal 1-1 with a 4-2 win.
The Habs dominated on the shot clock, holding a 36-23 edge, but they were unable to solve Biron, who was on fire in the Flyer's net. Biron made several point blank saves in the second period to help his team even the series and avoid giving up a two-goal lead for the fourth time this postseason.
Just like in Game 1, the Flyers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by R.J. Umberger and Jeff Carter, who scored on the power play. Both goals went in over Carey Price's left shoulder and the rookie goaltender was seen trying to adjust his position during a stoppage in play. Umberger added his second of the game with 2:21 to go in the game to seal the Flyers' win.
Continue reading "Round 2, Game 2: Biron helps Flyers even series" »
posted by Kevin Mio at 9h59 EST on Apr 26
The Canadiens and Flyers go back at it on Saturday night in Gamde 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at the Bell Centre, with the Flyers looking to rebound from a 4-3 OT loss in Game 1.
As expected, Daniel Brière was booed heavily by the 21,273 fans in attendance on Thursday night and although the Gatineau native said they do not bother him, he finished the game a minus-1 with only three shots on goal and a dreadful 29 per cent success rate in the faceoff circle.
Here's a look at what's being said about Saturday's game:
• Dave Stubbs: Flyers refuse to blame bad breaks for Game 1 loss
• Pat Hickey: Gritty sparkplug
• Red Fisher: Fans who feel refs swindled Flyers should blame new My NHL 3 for problem
• The Gazette's Max Harrold: Hungry for Habs tickets
• Herb Zurkowsky: 'It's not about me," Flyers' Brière says
• Canoe.ca: Journal de Montréal coverage en français
• Cyberpresse.ca: La Presse coverage en français
• Phil Sheridan, Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers need repeat of Game 2 against Caps
• Tim Panaccio, Philadelphia Inquirer: Angry Flyers ready to bounce back
• Inquirer: Canadiens' goals still a hot-button issue
• Ed Moran, Philadelphia Daily News: Things look clearer the day after
• Tim Wharnsby, Globe and Mail: Brothers providing spark for Habs
• Roy MacGregor, Globe and Mail: Puck stops here
posted by Kevin Mio at 8h52 EST on Apr 25
It was all about the Ks for the Canadiens on Thursday night as they managed to overcome a sloppy first period with several rallies before finally winning Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals 4-3 in overtime on Thursday night at the Bell Centre.
Down 2-0, Andrei Kositsyn and Alex Kovalev scored in the second period to tie the game 2-2, and Kovalev scored again late in the third period to tie the game 3-3 and send it to overtime. That's when the last K, Tom Kostopoulos scored 48 seconds into the extra period to give the Canadiens a 1-0 series lead.
Here's a look at what's being said about Thursday's series opener:
• Dave Stubbs: No-quit Habs win in overtime
• Pat Hickey: Habs steal opener
• Hickey: Boos don't bother me, Brière says
• Red Fisher: Canadiens' OT win anything but easy
• The Gazette: Granny with cancer set for game
• Herb Zurkowsky: A long way from Buffalo
• Zurkowsky: Them's the breaks: Carter, Richards
• Canwest News Service: Timonen up to the challenge
• Canoe.ca: Journal de Montréal coverage en français
• Cyberpresse.ca: La Presse coverage en français
• Phil Sheridan, Philadelphia Inquirer: In a blur, Flyers lost to Canadiens
• Tim Panaccio, Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers lose to Montreal in OT
• Inquirer: Both clubs whiff on power play
• Ed Moran, Philadelphia Daily News: Questionable calls spoil solid effort by Flyers in loss to Canadiens
• Moran: Forget Philly, these fans are in a crass of their own
• Marcus Hayes, Daily News: Flyers' loss to Canadiens leaves Capitals fans smiling
• Tim Wharnsby, Globe and Mail: Habs steal a stunner
• Roy MacGregor, Globe and Mail: All the makings of a dream series
posted by Kevin Mio at 14h28 EST on Apr 24
Canadiens' Tom Kostopoulos (centre), Saku Koivu and Carey Price celebrate Kostopoulos's game-winning goal in overtime on Thursday night at the Bell Centre. Allen McInnis, The Gazette.
Lineups | Game Summary | Event Summary | Boxscore | Boone | Game Story
The Canadiens didn't quit on Thursday night and it paid off as they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference seminfinals with a 4-3 overtime win on Thursday night.
Tom Kostopoulos scored 48 seconds into overtime as the Canadiens were able to overcome a tenacious Flyers team that has twice grabbed leads.
Alex Kovalev scored a game-tying goal in the final minute of the third period to force overtime after the Flyers looked destined to win the first game of the series after grabbing an early third-period lead on a lucky goal.
The Flyers had taken a 3-2 lead 19 seconds into the third when Carey price couldn't grab a shot from the point and the puck went off Joffrey Lupul's leg at the side of the net and trickled over the goal line.
After Lupul's goal, the Flyers kept the Canadiens at bay by clogging up the neutral zone, preventing the Habs from getting any momentum or good scoring chances.
But with Mike Richards in the box for kneeing Kovalev, the talented Russian scored his second of the game to send Game 1 into overtime
Continue reading "Round 2, Game 1: Habs' Kostopoulos OT hero" »
posted by Kevin Mio at 9h56 EST on Apr 24
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