Wrapup (10:30 PM, EST)
The Montreal Canadiens were a hungrier hockey team than the Flyers tonight. Philadelphia spent too much of tonight's 5-2 loss at the Bell Centre. The Flyers have now lost six of their last eight regular season games in Montreal.
The Flyers struggled mightily tonight with missed shots (Simon Gagne in particular had a rough night in that regard) and blocked shots. Montreal burned the Flyers with stretch passes and speed through the neutral zone. The Habs outhit the Flyers (38-36), won nearly 6 out every 10 faceoffs and were the better special-teams club (although the Flyers only had one full-length powerplay).
By far, the Flyers' most effective line tonight was the Upshall-Metropolit-Asham line. Even apart from his goal and assist, Arron Asham had one of his strongest games as a Flyer, forechecking effectively and setting a physical tone.
Preview (3:30 PM, EST)
The Flyers (17-7-6) will look to win their sixth game in a row tonight when they travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens (16-9-5). The Habs have dropped three straight games coming into tonight's game.
The Flyers, who have gained points in 16 of the last 17 games (13-1-3) played a strong road match in Montreal the last time the clubs met, coming away with a 2-1 victory back on November 15. Philly, however, has won just two of its last seven regular season games at the Bell Centre.
Although the Habs have struggled for wins of late, they remain one of the NHL's best puck-possession teams and play solid team defense. Only Minnesota, Ottawa and San Jose have allowed fewer goals this season than the Canadiens. Montreal has played well at even strength this season, but the powerplay has struggled mightily, especially on home ice.
The Canadiens won't have to face the flu-riddled Martin Biron tonight. Biron, of course, has owned the Habs over the course of his career, posting a career 13-8 record, 2.22 goals against average and .922 save percentage (not including last year's phenomenol playoff performance). Antero Niittymäki will start his second straight game. Habs' backup Jaroslav Halak is also expected to net the nod tonight, with Carey Price day-to-day with a lower body injury.
The Habs defense should get a boost tonight with the expected return of Mike Komisarek to the lineup after missing the last month with a shoulder injury. Josh Gorges (who is team-best +12 on the season) filled in admirably on the top pairing in Komisarek's absence. Up front, the Habs will be without captain Saku Koivu (foot) and Christopher Higgins (shoulder). Philly will go with the same lineup as John Stevens used in the victory over Colorado on Tuesday.
Team comparisons
EVEN STRENGTH
5-on-5
Flyers 49 GF - 55 GA
Habs 52 GF - 41 GA
4-on-4
Flyers 5 GF - 8 GA
Habs 6 GF - 2 GA
SPECIAL TEAMS
Flyers powerplay
Overall - 27.0% (2nd NHL)
Road - 14.3% (24th NHL)
0 Shorthanded goals allowed
Canadiens penalty kill
Overall - 81.4% (15th NHL)
Home - 81.4% (20th NHL)
4 Shorthanded goals scored
Canadiens powerplay
Overall - 12.9% (28th NHL)
Home - 9.1% (30th NHL)
2 Shorthanded goal allowed
Flyers penalty kill
Overall - 84.3% (6th NHL)
Road - 85.7% (7th NHL)
12 shorthanded goals scored
Scoring First
Flyers 13-1-4
Habs 11-2-3
Opponent Scoring First
Flyers 4-6-2
Habs 5-7-2
Goals by period
1st period
Flyers 28 GF - 27 GA
Habs 26 GF - 22 GA
2nd period
Flyers 39 GF - 34 GA
Habs 34 GF - 24 GA
3rd period
Flyers 32 GF - 24 GA
Habs 23 GF - 27 GA
OT
Flyers 5 GF - 4 GA
Habs 0 GF - 1 GA
LINEUPS (subject to change)
Flyers
Gagne - Richards - Knuble
Hartnell - Carter - Lupul
Upshall - Metropolit - Asham
Cote - Powe - Nödl
Timonen - Väänänen
Coburn - Carle
Alberts - Sbisa
Niittymäki
[Munroe]
Contact Bill at
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Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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