MINI-PREVIEW (7:30 AM)

Unlike the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals, there will be no long layoff this time around when the Flyers play the Montreal Canadiens at the Wachovia Center in Game 1 of the conference finals. Both clubs are coming off improbable wins in the last round (the last two rounds for the Habs), and this series marks the first time in NHL playoff history than a seventh seed will play the eighth.

The Flyers have seen firsthand the way that Jaroslav Halak can steal games for the Canadiens. Late in the regular season, Halak was virtually the only reason the Canadiens came away with a 1-0 victory in a game in Philly that the Flyers otherwise dominated. Halak and Michael Cammalleri have been sensational in the playoffs, and Brian Gionta was also tremendous in the series with Pittsburgh.

For the Flyers, it is important not to let the game turn into a track meet. Montreal has the edge in a skating game, the Flyers hold the edge in a grind-it-out affair. Both Washington and Pittsburgh had trouble coping with the Habs on the line rush. Montreal is willing to get significantly outshot in games and to be opportunistic offensively.

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