Flyers attempt to snap five-game losing streak in Montreal

Amid a five-game slide, the Philadelphia Flyers travel to the Bell Centre to battle the Montreal Canadiens.

On the road against the Boston Bruins, the Flyers measured up to the best team in the NHL through two periods. Entering the third, behind 1-0, the scoreboard favored the Bruins. Boston capitalized on the powerplay to run away with the victory, 4-1.

Comparably, the Canadiens are on a two-game losing streak. Recently, they fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-4.

On the road, Philadelphia is starting to stabilize in some aspects. They’re playing even-strength hockey at an elevated level. Over the last two games, the powerplay converts 33% of their chances. The Flyers have to protect their goaltender in Montreal. That means keeping discipline; not giving up free extra-man opportunities.

Montreal Canadiens (8-8-1)

The Canadiens are sixth in the Atlantic Division, coached by Martin St. Louis. Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach drive the powerplay, ranked 28th in the NHL. Opposite, Montreal ranks 11th best on the penalty kill.

Canadiens lines, pairings, and starting goaltender per Patrick Friolet:

Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Hoffman-Dvorak-Gallagher
Dadonov-Monahan-Anderson
Pezzetta-Evans-Slafkovsky

Matheson-Edmundson
Guhle-Savard
Harris-Wideman

Allen
(Montembeault)

Josh Anderson (5G, 2A) notched a goal in the losing effort against the Blue Jackets. More importantly, it was a powerplay goal to knot the game. He doesn’t pop off the paper as a go-to option for Montreal on the powerplay; they spread the puck around. Suzuki leads the team with three powerplay goals, and Anderson is one of five other skaters tied for second place on the Canadiens with one. On the man advantage, they’ll keep their opponents’ heads on a swivel.

Jake Allen (5-6-0, 90.1%SV, 3.29GAA) will start. In his career, Allen doesn’t own a victory over Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Flyers (7-7-3)

The Flyers are fifth in the Metropolitan Division, coached by John Tortorella. Owen Tippett and Kevin Hayes are at the wheel of the powerplay, ranked 27th in the NHL. Philadelphia ranks the same on the penalty kill.

Tentative lines, pairings, and starting goaltender for the Flyers:

Laughton-Hayes-Farabee
Tippett-N. Cates-MacEwen
Willman-Frost-Bellows
Deslauriers-Sedlak-Brown

Provorov-DeAngelo
Sanheim-Braun
Seeler-Ristolainen

Hart
(Sandstrom)

Hayes (4G, 13A) will be critical with Tippett. There is no update on Travis Konecny. He didn’t return after leaving with an injury against the Bruins. In that tilt, Hayes and Tony DeAngelo notched assists on a powerplay goal from Tippett. It was the only goal scored by Philadelphia.

Carter Hart (6-3-3, 92.5%SV, 2.55GAA) is the probable starter. Hart is 1-3-1 in his last five starts.