(SportsNetwork.com) – While the Montreal Canadiens remain in a heated battle
for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, the Philadelphia Flyers are warming
up for their own run at a postseason spot.
The Flyers try to extend a six-game point streak on Tuesday night as they
visit the Montreal Canadiens, but without No. 1 goaltender Steve Mason.
Philadelphia has gone 5-0-1 over its past six games, though the club is still
nine points out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Keeping up this
run could prove difficult after Mason left Sunday’s 3-1 win over the
Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury.
Mason made eight saves before departing with 8:42 left in the second period.
He is unlikely to play on the rest of this four-game road trip, which still
includes stops in Columbus and Buffalo, with Ray Emery expected to get the
bulk if not all the work in his absence.
Emery made five saves in relief on Sunday and is 9-8-1 lifetime versus
Montreal with a 3.05 goals against average and .901 save percentage in 18
games (17 starts). He will be backed up by Anthony Stolarz, who was recalled
from the minors on Monday and has never played in an NHL game.
Wayne Simmonds had the game-winning goal versus the Capitals in the third
period, while Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek also scored.
“Definitely a solid 60 minutes. It was a real good defensive game,” said
Philadelphia head coach Craig Berube. “We played really well defensively,
offensively we could do more, but I thought they were solid all-around moving
the puck.”
The Canadiens picked up a second victory in a row with Sunday’s 3-1 win over
the Boston Bruins, leaving them tied for second in the Atlantic Division with
the Detroit Red Wings. Both clubs have 71 points, two back of the first-place
Tampa Bay Lightning.
Dale Weise and Max Pacioretty had a goal and an assist each as the Habs swept
their four-game season series with the rival Bruins. Andrei Markov scored as
well and Carey Price made 34 saves.
“We understand that it was a huge challenge for us tonight,” Canadiens coach
Michel Therrien told NHL.com. “The Bruins are playing really solid hockey
lately, and both teams played [Saturday] night. We find ways to win. I thought
we were really solid, and we were pursuing the puck well, and we put pucks at
the net. We didn’t try to be fancy, and that’s our game.”
Price is 10-9-0 lifetime versus the Flyers with a 2.70 GAA and .915 save
percentage in 20 games (19 starts) versus the Flyers.
The Habs also have a chance to sweep their three-game season series with the
Flyers. Montreal had lost 10 of the previous 13 encounters before winning the
first two meetings this season.
