Philadelphia Flyers
posted by Kevin Mio at 22h48 EST on Feb 13
Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak is beaten by a shot from Flyers' Mike Richard during the first period Saturday night. Christinne Musch, Reuters
Preview | Matchups | Saturday's NHL schedule | Boone's Game Blog and About last night ... | Stubbs on Twitter | Pat Hickey's game story
AUDIO: P.K. Subban | Brian Gionta | Carey Price | Jaroslav Spacek | Jacques Martin
• At a Glance: For the second straight game, the Flyers took a 3-0 lead on the Canadiens. But unlike Friday night, when they allowed the Canadiens to claw back, the Flyers kept on filling the net behind Jaroslav Halak en route to a 6-2 win. The Flyers scored three times in the first period on only nine shots, with Daniel Brière opening the scoring less than five minutes into the game. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter also scored before the first period was over. Brian Gionta scored on the power play for Montreal seven minutes into the second period, but Blair Betts scored a shorthanded goal for the Flyers a few minutes later and Brière added his second of the game with only six seconds to play in the second period. Scott Gomez scored on the power play six minutes into the third period, but the Canadiens could muster little else in the way of offence. Halak allowed five goals on 17 shots and was replaced by Carey Price in the third period, who stopped eight shots. He was beaten only by Brière on a penalty shot, completing his hat trick with a slick move and a backhand shot to the top shelf.
• Key Moments: A few minutes after the Canadiens scored in the second period, they were on another power play when Betts scored a shorthanded goal on a breakaway after Roman Hamrlik mishandled the puck at the Flyers' blue line. That gave the Flyers a 4-1 lead and put the game out of reach.
• What It Means: The Canadiens dropped to 29-28-6 and remain at 64 points, three behind the Flyers in sixth place. With the Boston Bruins winning on Saturday, the Canadiens are now in eighth place, and both the Flyers and Bruins enjoy three games in hand on Montreal.
• What's Next: A few weeks off for the Olympic break before the next game on March 2 in Boston, by which time the Canadiens will hopefully have some of their injured players back in the lineup.
posted by Kevin Mio at 21h30 EST on Feb 12
Canadiens' Dominic Moore tries to block a shot by Flyers Daniel Brière as Carey Price searches for the puck. Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Preview | Matchups | Friday's NHL schedule | Boone's Game Blog and About last night ... | Stubbs on Twitter | Pat Hickey's game story
AUDIO: Dominic Moore | Carey Price | Brian Gionta | P.K. Subban | Jacques Martin
• At a Glance: The Canadiens started out well against the Philadelhphia Flyers on Friday night, but a late first-period goal and two quick goals in the second period led the Flyers to a 3-2 win. Scott Hartnell pushed a puck past Carey Price during a goal-mouth scramble with less than two minutes to play in the first period. Jeff Carter scored on a long-shot 1:17 into the second period on a long-shot Price should have stopped. Matt Carle scored two minutes later on a shot that appeared to go off the stick of Ryan O'Byrne and bounced past Price. At that point, it looked like the Canadiens were dead in the water, but they scored two fast goals of their own to start the third period. Glen Metropolit beat Michael Leighton when his shot went off a Flyers' skate in front of the net. Only 56 seconds later, Dominic Moore, acquired from the Panthers on Thursday night, banked a shot off Leighton's back and into the net to narrow the gap to 3-2.
• Key Moments: The Canadiens were able to kill off three successive Philadelphia power plays in the first half of the third period after Montreal had scored their two goals, giving the Canadiens hope of tying the game.
• What It Means: Montreal dropped to seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-27-6 record and 64 points, one behind the Flyers who have three games in hand.
• What's Next: The Canadiens and Flyers square off again on Saturday night before the NHL shuts down for a few weeks during the Olympics. The Canadiens are back in action on March 2 in Boston.
posted by Dave Stubbs at 12h49 EST on Feb 11
The Canadiens are back on practice ice this morning in Brossard following last night's stirring 6-5 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals.
After being felled by the elephant gun that masqueraded as a Mike Green slapshot to the head, defenceman Josh Gorges is on the ice, practising with his teammates. It's a therapy day for fellow rearguard Andrei Markov. D Paul Mara did not practice and will not make this afternoon's trip to Philadelphia, though both Gorges and Markov will.
Andrei Kostitsyn again skated alone before practice, apparently for about an hour. The charter will be without Kostitsyn, Mara, Michael Cammalleri, Benoit Pouliot and Marc-André Bergeron
The Canadiens meet the Flyers tomorrow night before playing host to the same team Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal's final game before the Olympic break.
posted by Kevin Mio at 23h01 EST on Dec 7
Canadiens' Travis Moen and Flyers' Scott Hartnell crash into
the net behind Carey Price during the first period Monday night. Dave Sidaway, The Gazette
Gazette preview | Matchups | Monday's NHL schedule | Boone's Game Blog and About last night ... | Stubbs on Twitter | Hickey's game story
AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Mike Cammalleri I and II | Jaro Spacek | Carey Price | Marc-André Bergeron
• At a Glance: The Canadiens trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night at the Bell Centre and Montreal had only one shot on net. But the Canadiens found their legs in the second and third period for a 3-1 win over the Flyers. Daniel Brière opened the scoring in the first period, his 11th goal of the season. But that is all Carey Price would let get past him, stopping 14 of 15 Philadelphia shots. In the second period, the Canadiens beat Brian Boucher twice, with Andrei Kostitsyn scoring his third of the season and Michael Cammalleri scoring his 16th of the year on a nice pass from Maxim Lapierre. It was Cammalleri's fourth goal in the last two games. Marc-André Bergeron, who started the game as a forward but was used on defence after Paul Mara left the game with an upper-body injury, scored his sixth of the season with a bullet on the power play. In all, Boucher stopped only 10 of 13 Canadiens shots. Montreal killed off all four of the Philadephia power plays while scoring on one of their three opportunities with the man advantage.
• Key Moments: The Canadiens scored two goals in only six shots in the second period, and those were all the goals they would need for the win.
• What It Means: Montreal moves back to .500 with a 14-14-2 record for 30 points in 30 games, tying them with Tampa Bay. The Canadiens sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference however, because Tampa Bay has played one fewer game.
• What's Next: The Canadiens get right back at it Tuesday night in Ottawa against the Senators before returning home to play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night. They then play in Atlanta on Saturday.
posted by Pat Hickey at 12h35 EST on Dec 7
As advertised, Sergei Kostitsyn's ankle injury is a minor one and he's expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Sergei took advantage of a therapy day Saturday and a day off yesterday to rest and rejoined his teammates for today's morning skate.
Also on the ice were forward Benoit Pouliot and defenceman Andrei Markov. Pouliot is still waiting to get more strength in his sprained wrist but could be back for the weekend. There's no time line for Markov's return but his progress indicates that he will return from torn tendons in his leg well before the original estimate of February. He has said he would like to be back sometime in January.
Carey Price, coming off a strong performance against the Bruins Friday night, will be in goal.
posted by Dave Stubbs at 22h55 EST on Feb 27
posted by Pat Hickey at 13h28 EST on Feb 27
Glen Metropolit hassles Canadiens' Tomas Plekanec during game last October.
Len Redkoles, NHLI via Getty Images
The Canadiens added some depth at centre today when they picked up Glen Metropolit on waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Coach Guy Carbonneau said he hasn't talked to Metropolit and that he hasn't made a decision on whether Metropolit will be in the lineup tonight against his former teammates.
"I said yesterday that one one of our needs was to acquire a centre to add depth to our group composed of Saku Koivu, Tomas Plekanec, Maxim Lapierre and Kyle Chipchura," GM Bob Gainey said in a team release.
"This presented itself in the past few hours when the Flyers placed Glen Metropolit on waivers. Glen is an experienced player who played very well against us (for the Boston Bruins) last season in the playoffs. We're very happy to acquire him."
Metropolit and defenceman Ossi Vaananen were placed on waivers yesterday as the Flyers attempted to clear some cap room to bring back Daniel Brière, who is a game-time decision for tonight's game.Â
The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Metropolit is a 34-year-old from Toronto. He has four goals and 10 assists in 55 games for the Flyers this season.
Last season, Metropolit played all 82 games for the Boston Bruins and scored 11 goals and 22 assists.
Nice human-interest story on Metropolit here.
posted by Dave Stubbs at 20h04 EST on Dec 18
posted by Dave Stubbs at 18h12 EST on Dec 17
Audio gathered after this morning's Canadiens practice in Brossard:
• Defenceman Mike Komisarek expects to get medical clearance Thursday morning to play against the Flyers. The pause in the audio: Komo is ducking socks being thrown his way by Georges Laraque.
• Goalie Jaroslav Halak about the challenge of a not-huge goalie playing a team like the Flyers, with large guys crowding his crease.
• Centre Tomas Plekanec on being reunited with Alex Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn, and how the Canadiens must first improve as individuals before line combinations will have an impact.
• Head coach Guy Carbonneau. In English, and in French.
posted by Dave Stubbs at 22h35 EST on Nov 15
Flyers goalie Martin Biron stones Canadiens' Alex Kovalev from in close during tonight's 2-1 Philadelphia victory.
John Mahoney, Gazette
Rosters | Tale of the Tape | Play-by-Play | Faceoffs
Game Summary | Event Summary | Game Story | Boone |
Well, those 1945-46 Stanley Cup-winning replica jerseys didn't seem to do the trick, did they?
Wearing the sweater style of the club that won the organization's sixth of 24 championships, the struggling Canadiens delivered another losing effort tonight at the Bell Centre, their fourth defeat in their past five games, falling 2-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers.
This one came at the hands of the team that bounced the Habs from last season's Eastern Conference semifinal.
Flyers goalie Martin Biron, who was nearly unbeatable in his team's five-game playoff ouster of the Canadiens, was superb again tonight.
Continue reading "Game 15: Slumping Habs fall 2-1 to 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 • KoivuÂ
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.Â
• 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 seriesÂ
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
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
