Flyers Post Game Recap: Comeback kids do it again in stunning overtime win over Montreal

Philadelphia enters tonight’s game coming off a 2-game weekend road-trip sweep of the Blue Jackets and Rangers. The Flyers look to make it 3 in a row tonight against a struggling Canadiens team.

Montreal enters tonight’s game losing 5 straight games. The Canadiens look to end a 5-game skid against a surging Flyers team.

Flyers Lineup 2/20 vs Canadiens

Giroux – Couturier – Konecny

Weal – Patrick – Voracek

Lindblom – Laughton – Raffl

Lehtera – Filppula – Weise

Provorov – Gostisbehere

Hagg – MacDonald

Manning – Gudas

Starter – Lyon

Backup – Mrazek

Scratches

17 – Simmonds (Injured)

20 – Leier

39 – Alt

1st Period Notes…
It was all Flyers to start this one and one Flyer in particular shot out of the gate. Oskar Lindblom, making his NHL debut, had a great first shift. But, it was his 2nd shift that stood out. Flyer Travis Konecny almost found a streaking Lindblom for high quality scoring chance. Boy did he have a good start.

But, then it was the Canadiens turn. After being held without a shot for the first 6 minutes, Canadiens Tomas Plekanec almost banked one home from behind the net. That was too close for comfort.

Then, about a minute later, the Canadiens continued their pressure. But, Alex Lyon was up for the task and made a couple of in tight saves in quick sequence. Still 0-0 halfway through the 1st.

However, the guy making his NHL debut got another high quality scoring chance. Lindblom’s backhand attempt was stopped in tight by Canadiens Carey Price. The kid is just shining in his debut moment.

But, the Canadiens would get the games first goal with 2:13 left in the period. Off a pass out the the corner a shot from the point was deflected home by Jeff Petry. 1-0 Canadiens.

The period ended smoothly thereafter. 1-0 Canadiens after the 1st.

Scoring

2:13 Canadiens Jeff Petry Assists Karl Alzner & Charles Hudon

Penalties

None

Shots

Flyers – 10

Canadiens – 8

2nd Period Notes…
I guess the Flyers thought the intermission was a little longer tonight. Montreal came out and was the better team to start the period. The Canadiens had the first couple of shots in the period. The best coming off a Gallagher shot that hit iron. Still 1-0 Canadiens.

There pressure continued over the next couple of minutes resulting in Alex Lyon to step up in a big way. The Flyers somehow left Max Pacioretty wide open in the high slot. But, Lyon robbed him with the glove. All Canadiens 5 minutes into the 2nd.

However, the Flyers would get a power-play after a sloppy play by Jordie Benn and the Flyers made them pay. After the Canadiens cleared the zone, instead of doing the usual drop back pass, Flyers Shayne Gostisbehere skated the puck in and passed it to Voracek. Voracek found Giroux, who found Patrick for the goal. Game tied 1-1.

Then, we had a little fun. Well, at least Canadiens Nicolas Deslauriers did. He took on Brandon Manning at center ice and sent Manning to the ice with a great 1-2 punch.

But, it would be the Flyers who got all the energy from the fight. The Flyers would get 2 quality scoring chances by Jordan Weal first and then Travis Konecny. Neither hit the net, but Konency drew a penalty on his attempt. Flyers back to the power-play.

If you thought the Flyers power-play would miss Wayne Simmonds, think again. Nolan Patrick, fresh off his goal on the 1st Flyers power-play, had another impressive power-play. But, they couldnt’t capitalize on this one. The best chance coming on the power-plays last shot. Voracek rang one off the pipe. Still 1-1, but the Flyers are buzzing.

Just before the 4 minute mark, Giroux set-up a streaking Valtteri Filppula for a high quality scoring chance. However, Carey Price would come up even bigger and make a incredible save.

The period ended smoothly. Game tied 1-1 after the 2nd.

Scoring

12:42 Flyers Power-Play Goal Nolan Patrick Assists Claude Giroux & Jake Voracek

Penalties

13:19 Canadiens Jordie Benn 2 minutes Interference

11:23 Flyers Brandon Manning 5 minutes Fighting

11:23 Canadiens Nicolas Deslauriers 5 minutes Fighting

9:25 Canadiens Artturi Lehkonen 2 minutes Tripping

Shots (Total)

Flyers – 12 (22)

Canadiens – 13 (21)

3rd Period Notes…
It was a slow start to the 3rd by both teams. Neither team controlled the play. It was more back and forth. But, that would not last.

Just over 7 minutes in, the Canadiens started to get their legs. And, a minute later they capitalized. Off a defensive breakdown by the Flyers, Tomas Plekanec found a wide open Paul Byron in-front for the goal. Canadiens take a 2-1 lead.

But, that wasn’t the only pressure they had. Off a Flyers turnover in center, Alex Galchenyuk broke away on a break-away. However, Flyers Andrew MacDonald made an incredible diving play to sweep the puck off Galchenyuk’s stick before he could get a shot off. Still 2-1 Canadiens.

Then, the Flyers would get their chance on the power-play. However, this wasn’t like the previous two power-plays early in the game. The Flyers didn’t have a shot on this power-play and Montreal killed it easily.

With just under 6:00 minutes left in the period, Canadiens Jonathan Drouin had a chance to put the game away. Off a bad Flyers change, Drouin came in on the far side alone and rang one off the crossbar. Flyers got lucky there.

But, then the magic happened. With 1:25 left in the 3rd, Jake Voracek scored to tie the game at 2-2. Huge goal for the Flyers.

The period ends 2-2. To OT we go.

Scoring

11:15 Canadiens Paul Byron Assists Tomas Plekanec & Brendan Gallagher

1:25 Flyers Jake Voracek Assists Sean Couturier & Shayne Gostisbehere

Penalties

9:23 Canadiens Phillip Danault 2 minutes Slashing

Shots (Total)

Flyers – 8 (30)

Canadiens – 6 (27)

OT Notes…

Just before a minute into overtime, Jake Voracek was all alone in tight on Carey Price. Instead of a goal or even a Carey Price save, Voracek roofed the puck into the safety netting behind the net. But, that wouldn’t be his only chance.

About 30 seconds later, Voracek got a chance to redeem himself. And, he did. Voracek fired home a shot past Carey Price to win it for the Flyers.