The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canadiens won Game 2 with a score of 5-0. Here is the recap of Game 3 between the Flyers and Canadiens.
Montreal: Noah Juulsen, Dale Weise, Cale Fleury, Jordan Weal, Cayden Primeau, Charles Hudon, Gustav Olofsson, Christian Folin, Ryan Poehling, Michael McNiven
Philadelphia: Oskar Lindblom, Alex Lyon, Morgan Frost, Kirill Ustimenko, Egor Zamula, Andy Andreoff, Mark Friedman, Joel Farabee, Conor Bunnaman, Andy Welinski, Shayne Gostisbehere
The Flyers wanted retribution from being shutout in Game 2 so they scored a goal 5:21 into the game from forward Jakub Voracek. From there, it was a back and forth game from both sides offensively. The Canadiens had at least a couple chances to tie the game but those shots either hit the post or crossbar. Flyers forward Travis Konency also had a chance to extend the lead but he hit the crossbar on a power play.
Philadelphia went into the second period with a 1-0 lead.
The Flyers controlled about a minute of this period but it was all about the Canadiens this period. The Canadiens also outshot the Flyers 8-6 but still couldn’t find a goal. And, the Canadiens again hit the post at least twice this period.
Philadelphia held on to their 1-0 lead heading into the third period.
The Canadiens took control of the first half of this period yet they still couldn’t catch a break. Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi hit the crossbar again after hitting it once during the first period. But, the Flyers kept holding onto their lead thanks in part to goaltender Carter Hart. Hart got chased out of the net during Game 2 after the Canadiens scored their fourth goal.
Philadelphia won the game 1-0 and took the series lead 2-1.
Third Star: Shea Weber (1 hit)
Second Star: Ivan Provorov (1 block)
First Star: Carter Hart (23 saves)
This wasn’t Philadelphia’s best game in the series but they responded better from the 5-0 shutout in Game 2. Hart also had a better performance after giving up four goals in Game 2. But, Philadelphia has to keep Montreal’s scoring chances down though the shots on goal numbers were close throughout the game. The more chances Montreal gets the higher chance they’ll be able to score.
Montreal couldn’t catch a break in this game. They hit at least three posts or crossbars during this game. However, they played well defensively to keep the game a one goal game. Montreal also looked to have lost some confidence in getting the puck more towards the net from all of the posts and crossbars they’ve hit. But, they have to be able to consistently score on their chances that they’re given, especially on the power play.
Game 4 of the Flyers-Canadiens series is on Aug. 18 at 3:00 p.m. EST.
