The Philadelphia Flyers squared off with the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night, bouncing back with a dominating 4-1 win vs. the Habs.
Philadelphia was looking to avoid a four-game losing streak after losing its previous three in overtime. After giving up the game’s first goal, the Flyers settled in and dominated as the game went on.
If you missed last night’s game, here is what you need to know.
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Flyers earn bounce-back win after three-straight losses
Alex Texier scored with just a minute remaining in the first period, and it looked like the Flyers were going to head into the first intermission trailing by a score. However, Carl Grundstrom would change that. Grundstrom (3) answered the call 39 seconds later with assists from Owen Tippett (11) and Sean Couturier (13).
The Flyers dominated the first period, so it was fitting that they at very least tied the game before the first break.
It did not take long into the second period for Philly to take the lead. Just under 6:30 into the second frame, Trevor Zegras (14) extended his scoring streak to four-straight games with a goal, after a give-and-go with Travis Konecny (20) on the rush.
Emil Andrae (7) also picked up an assist.
The Flyers dominated the second period, just as they did in the first. Just like in the first period, they scored in the final minute of the period.
Matvei Michkov (10) made a great play behind the Canadiens’ goal, swiping the loose puck and finding Bobby Brink (9) in front, who buried the bar-down slap shot.
It also led to this great moment picked up by the broadcast before the second intermission.
In the third period, the Canadiens woke up and really put some pressure on the Flyers. After being outshot 18-10 through the first 40 minutes, Montreal made Flyers’ netminder Dan Vladar work.
The defense looked a little tired, and Montreal stepped up offensively, firing 12 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes.
Fortunately for the Flyers, Vladar did what he has been doing all season: stood tall, stopping 12 of 12. The Flyers only put three shots on goal in the third period. But as it turns out, they could have had 0 and been just fine. Vladar was clutch once again for Philly.
Travis Konecny (9) scored on the empty net from the right side of the neutral zone, wrapping up the 4-1 win.
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5 observations from Flyers’ win vs. Canadiens
1. Trevor Zegras is very, very good at hockey. The offseason acquisition has scored goals in four straight games, tallying a team-leading 14 this season. When acquiring Zegras from the Ducks this offseason, you did not know which version of the player the Flyers were getting.
Well, Zegras is on pace for 35 goals this season. That would SMASH his previous career high, 23, by 12 goals. His 19 assists have him on pace for 48 this season. Zegras’ career high in assists is 42. With that, the 24-year-old has 33 points in 32 games this season, putting him on pace for a career high of 84 points. 64 is his current high. It’s safe to say the Flyers got the same player who made himself a household name.
2. Sticking with offseason acquisitions, Dan Vladar was phenomenal yet again. His ability to just reset after giving up the game’s first goal has given the Flyers a fighting chance in every game this season. The Czech goalie has helped solidify an area that was the team’s biggest weakness last season. After the Texier goal, Vladar stopped the next 16 shots, including Montreal’s 12 in the third period, helping seal the win.
3. Carl Grundstrom is proving that he is a legit NHL player. There is a real reason that he has played 298 NHL games. Since being recalled by the Flyers, he has four points in five games. Grundstrom’s game-tying goal vs. Montreal is his third since joining the Flyers. He earned his promotion to the second line. Not too bad for someone traded in a contract dump.
4. Rasmus Ristolianen is back. The physical defenseman has been missed in the Flyers’ lineup. He sured up the backend for Philly. Ristolainen picked up where he left off with his physicality.
The Flyers’ defensive pairs look pretty set with Ristolainen’s return.
5. The power play still stinks. Philadelphia had three chances on the man-advantage and came up empty-handed. On a positive note, they generated five total shots on the man-advantage, which somehow feels like a step forward. However, they are still lacking shots from the point and the slot, which is something they did not get on Tuesday.
What’s next
The Flyers will look to continue the momentum built on Tuesday when they take on the Sabres in Buffalo on Thursday at the KeyBank Center.
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