Sean Couturier
Carter Hart secured his second straight shutout win, as the Flyers took a 3-1 series lead with a 2-0 win over the Canadiens on Tuesday afternoon.
The series now shifts to Game 3 where Montreal will be the home team. Someone in the series will emerge with a 2-1 lead and a chance to take a commanding lead in the series in just a few days. For the Flyers, who certainly felt embarrassed by the result on Friday afternoon, this is a time for redemption, for a bounce-back game that could help them in the series. Game 3 is set for 8 p.m.
The opportunity was there for the Flyers to take a 2-0 series lead after having what many viewed was only a B-minus, C-game from the Flyers. There were some who viewed Game 1 as a missed opportunity for the Canadiens, while others saw it as a game where the Canadiens showed they could hang around in this series. Man, did they prove that in Game 2.
The Flyers didn’t have their best in Game 1, but came away with the 2-1 win in large part due to their goaltender. On Friday afternoon, they have a chance to really establish themselves in the series. Game 2 is set for 3 p.m.
One thing remained a constant. Carter Hart was excellent again. That is the main reason the Flyers find themselves with a 1-0 series lead following a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1. Here are 5 takeaways from the Game 1 win.
The Flyers’ depth this season has thus far proved that without Claude Giroux scoring, the team can still get the job done.
With the top seed locked up after three straight wins in the Round Robin, it’s time for the games that count. “We are excited here. It was three big wins. We’re ready to go dancing,” Joel Farabee said.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored two goals, Joel Farabee added another and Carter Hart made 23 saves to secure a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning and claim the top seed on Saturday night.
The Flyers play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night in a battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The winner plays their first-round series against the 12-seed Montreal Canadiens. The loser gets the second seed and plays the winner of the series between Toronto and Columbus. Game time is 8 p.m.
From start to finish, it was total dominance from the line of Kevin Hayes, Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton. “They’re certainly, without a doubt, our best line at this moment,” Alain Vigneault said after the Flyers 3-1 win over the Capitals.
