On the other side of the seven-game gauntlet, the Philadelphia Flyers (36-27-10) maintained their position in the NHL Metropolitan Division. Against top contenders representing the NHL Eastern Conference, the Flyers are playing their most quality hockey, taking six points to the standings.
The push for the postseason begins at the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens (27-32-12). Philadelphia must go on a winning streak before ending the regular season on a three-game stand against the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals. The Flyers are favorites on the road against the Canadiens but cannot pause the quality and pace of the hockey they’ve played lately.
“We have to respect every team we’re playing, and once you do that, you tend to buy into how we have to play the disciplined, puck management type game that has given us a ton of success lately against really good opponents. That works against everybody and we have to realize that and stick to that gameplan as often as we can.”
Brad Shaw; 3/26/2024
There isn’t room for moral victories. The chase is tight for a playoff berth, and second place is just the first loser.
Montreal Canadiens
In his pregame media availability, Martin St. Louis was asked about the influence John Tortorella had on him as a player who went to battle for Tortorella and his transformation into an NHL head coach. Montreal is rebuilding, and St. Louis credits his lessons from Tortorella as a foundation to help rebuild the Canadiens.
“In terms of the culture he’s [Tortorella] brought there [Philadelphia], we’re on the same level in building the culture. Like the X’s and O’s, and the delivery of the message, I’m going to be me. I’m not going to be Torts. But, do I have moments that I find myself like, ‘Oh, that was like Torts.’ Of course, I do. I think Torts has a long coaching career, a very successful one, and I’m not sure that he started exactly the way he is today. There’s a progression. You live and learn. I’m just going to be me and react on things based on the information I have and what I see. In terms of to try to build a team, it really starts in that culture, in that dressing room, and that’s something I’ve learned from Torts.”
Martin St. Louis; 3/28/2024
Brendan Gallagher works in the top six. He was the only one on his line without a point in a win against the Colorado Avalanche. Joel Armia scored the game-winner, and Alex Newhook recorded the primary assist. Gallagher recorded two shots on goal and two hits when Montreal lost in a shootout to Philadelphia, 3-2.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Montreal Canadiens:
Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Gallagher-Newhook-Armia
Anderson-Evans-Ylonen
Pezzetta-White-Harvey Pinard
Matheson-Guhle
Xhekaj-Savard
Struble-Harris
Primeau
(Montembeault)
Philadelphia Flyers
Ivan Fedotov is no longer with CSKA Moscow after his contract was terminated. It seems Fedotov will pursue his career in the NHL after all. Daniel Briere will clarify as he receives more information from the NHL. Additionally, the Flyers are in the process of bringing Alexei Kolosov to the Phantoms, per Briere.
Egor Zamula secured another assist on the powerplay. Slowly but surely, Zamula has become more dangerous along the blue line, making minimal movements to open a shooting lane. Tortorella always praised his vision with the puck, and it’s beginning to shine on the worst powerplay in the NHL. Previously, Philadelphia had success on the powerplay against the Canadiens. Zamula hopes to create a powerplay point streak with a goal or assist on the man advantage.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Tippett-Frost-Konecny
Farabee-Laughton-Brink
Foerster-Poehling-Gurianov
Lycksell-Couturier-Atkinson
York-Sanheim
Ginning-Attard
Zamula-Johnson
Ersson
(Sandstrom)
Place Your Bets (via Draft Kings Sportsbook)
Philadelphia Flyers (-162)
Montreal Canadiens (+136)
Egor Zamula anytime goal (+900)
Brendan Gallagher anytime goal (+450)
Game Information
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Listen to the radio broadcast on 97.5 The Fanatic. The puck drops at 7pm.
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
