The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a score of 2-1. The last time both teams faced each other in the playoffs was in 2010 when the Flyers defeated the Canadiens in five games during the Eastern Conference Finals. Here is a recap of Game 1 between the Flyers and Canadiens.
Both teams had momentum going their way during this period but it would be the Flyers who get the first goal of the game. Flyers forward Jakub Voracek tipped the puck in with 11:06 left in the period. However, the Canadiens built momentum of their own and carried it into the second period. And, when one team fights their way back into the game the other fights back as well. It got physical in the latter stages of the period that even Canadiens goaltender Carey Price got in a few punches on Flyers forward Derek Grant.
Philadelphia went into the second period with a 1-0 lead.
The Canadiens were able to take advantage of the momentum they built up coming into this period. They controlled the first four minutes of the period. But, the Flyers came back and got scoring chances of their own. One good scoring chance came on a 3-on-1 breakaway which involved Flyers forwards Travis Konecny, Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton. Laughton had an open net but Price made a highlight reel save saving a goal by just the tip of his stick blade. Flyers goaltender Carter Hart would get a highlight save of his own when he stopped Canadiens forward Paul Byron from tying the game off a 2-on-1 breakaway. However, Canadiens captain Shea Weber tied the game on a power play 1:21 after Hart’s save on Byron. But, Flyers forward Joel Farabee answered back 16 seconds later and regained the Flyers’ one goal lead.
Philadelphia went into the second period with a 2-1 lead.
No goals were scored during this period but the Flyers were in control until the Canadiens pulled Price out of the net for the extra skater. Canadiens forwards Brendan Gallagher and Phillip Danault both had chances to tie the game with 1:13 left in the game but Hart denied both shots. Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki also had a good scoring chance but the puck rang off the crossbar and out of play with 26 seconds left in the game. In the end, the Flyers were able to hold on and won the game.
Philadelphia won the game 2-1 and took the series lead 1-0.
Third Star: Jeff Petry (5 hits)
Second Star: Ivan Provorov (1 assist)
First Star: Carter Hart (27 saves)
This is an interesting first round matchup between these teams. Both teams are looking to make some noise and grab attention of the rest of the teams in the playoffs. It shouldn’t be a surprise if this series goes to seven games. Overall, this was a great game but the Flyers were the better team in Game 1.
Game 2 of the Flyers-Canadiens matchup is on Aug. 14 at 3:00 pm EST.
