Philadephia Daily News:
Flyers-Canadiens scouting report
by Ed Barkowitz
Daily News sports writer Ed Barkowitz breaks down the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Flyers and Canadiens that begins tonight in Montreal:
History
For the Flyers, it ain’t pretty. They lost all four games to Montreal this season and by an ugly combined score of 15-6. The Flyers are just 1-5 in Montreal over the last three seasons. In the playoffs, Montreal has won three of the four playoff series, the most recent occurring in 1989.For the Flyers, it ain’t pretty. They lost all four games to Montreal this season and by an ugly combined score of 15-6. The Flyers are just 1-5 in Montreal over the last three seasons. In the playoffs, Montreal has won three of the four playoff series, the most recent occurring in 1989.
Fun history
The one playoff series the Flyers won against the Canadiens was in the 1987 conference finals. The Game 6 clincher followed a wild pregame brawl that was ignited by Montreal’s ritual of ending the warmup by firing a puck into the opponents’ net. Philadelphia’s Ed Hospodar wouldn’t allow it and things escalated quickly. Players from both sides sprinted out of their respective locker rooms, several wearing just undergarments, for the free-for-all. Old-time hockey. Eddie Shore!
Forwards
Flyers:
Danny Briere had a huge first round against Washington (NHL first- round highs of six goals, 11 points) and obviously will be heavily counted on again. But Briere has to be careful not to press. Briere, who hails from just outside Montreal, has been a target for Canadiens fans since turning down an offer to play for his hometown club during last season’s free-agency period … Joffrey Lupul scored the series clincher in overtime against the Caps. Let’s see if it gives him a shot of confidence.Flyers: Danny Briere had a huge first round against Washington (NHL first- round highs of six goals, 11 points) and obviously will be heavily counted on again. But Briere has to be careful not to press. Briere, who hails from just outside Montreal, has been a target for Canadiens fans since turning down an offer to play for his hometown club during last season’s free-agency period … Joffrey Lupul scored the series clincher in overtime against the Caps. Let’s see if it gives him a shot of confidence.
Canadiens:
The resurrection of Alex Kovalev has been the primary reason the Habs earned the conference’s top seed. Kovalev took a lot of the blame when Montreal failed to make the playoffs last year. He rededicated himself over the offseason and his 84 points were his best total since 2000-01. Last year, Kovalev was minus–19. This season, he was plus-18 … Montreal’s speed will give the Flyers fits. Tonight could be a problem depending on how weary Philadelphia is after playing and traveling both Monday and Tuesday night … Steve Begin (pronounced Bay-Zhan) is the Canadiens forward most likely to draw Flyers fans’ ire.
EDGE: Montreal. While both teams are pretty deep at forward, the Canadiens are healthier.
Defensemen
Flyers:
The top four are solid, but Jason Smith’s nagging shoulder injury caused his playing time to diminish and his effectiveness to be compromised as the Capitals series dragged on … Kimmo Timonen runs the power play and shouldn’t have to exert as much energy defensively as he had to against Washington’s Alex Ovechkin.Flyers: The top four are solid, but Jason Smith’s nagging shoulder injury caused his playing time to diminish and his effectiveness to be compromised as the Capitals series dragged on … Kimmo Timonen runs the power play and shouldn’t have to exert as much energy defensively as he had to against Washington’s Alex Ovechkin.
Canadiens:
The NHL’s top power play is anchored by Andrei Markov, who tied for the league lead among defensemen with 10 power-play goals. Mike Komisarek is the thumper of the unit. He is a big hitter who also led the league in blocked shots.
EDGE: Montreal. More depth.
Goaltender
Flyers:
Martin Biron was in net for just one of the four losses to Montreal. (So what if he got shelled for five goals?) Biron is playing with a lot of confidence right now and was huge in the Washington series.Flyers: Martin Biron was in net for just one of the four losses to Montreal. (So what if he got shelled for five goals?) Biron is playing with a lot of confidence right now and was huge in the Washington series.
Canadiens:
Carey Price, 20, became the youngest goalie to register 20 wins since Patrick Roy and Tom Barrasso did it 22 years ago. He helped Canada win the 2007 World Juniors and Hamilton, the Habs’ AHL affiliate, the Calder Cup last spring. The Habs put all their pucks in one basket when they traded Cristobal Huet to the Capitals at the deadline, but Price has been right.
EDGE: Flyers. The Flyers need to create havoc in front of Price and get under the kid’s skin. But watch it, he might be wearing Clearasil.
Special teams
Flyers:
With Kimmo Timonen and sometimes Mike Richards up high, Danny Briere down near the goal line and Scott Hartnell in front, the Flyers had the league’s second-best power play.Flyers: With Kimmo Timonen and sometimes Mike Richards up high, Danny Briere down near the goal line and Scott Hartnell in front, the Flyers had the league’s second-best power play.
Canadiens:
Couldn’t get the power play cranking against Boston, but it’s still a formidable unit. The penalty- killing unit was 15th during the season.
EDGE: Montreal. The Canadiens killed off 27 of 30 power plays against Boston in the first round.
Coaches
Flyers:
John Stevens’ primary concern is trying to figure out how to replace Mike Knuble, who is out indefinitely with a partially torn hamstring. He is soft-spoken, but can be stern and has done a nice job managing the locker room and relying on his leaders.Flyers: John Stevens’ primary concern is trying to figure out how to replace Mike Knuble, who is out indefinitely with a partially torn hamstring. He is soft-spoken, but can be stern and has done a nice job managing the locker room and relying on his leaders.
Canadiens:
Guy Carbonneau is similar to Stevens in that he took over last year, but missed the playoffs. Carbonneau won two Stanley Cups as a player for the Canadiens and one with the Dallas Stars.
EDGE: Even. Since Stevens and Carbonneau are playoff rookies and each nearly blew a 3-1 lead in the first round, let ’em battle it out.
Intangibles
Flyers:
Even though both series went seven, the Flyers expended more energy to get to this point. Yet they summoned up the fortitude to win twice on the road, including in overtime of Game 7. They are playing with the house’s money now.Flyers: Even though both series went seven, the Flyers expended more energy to get to this point. Yet they summoned up the fortitude to win twice on the road, including in overtime of Game 7. They are playing with the house’s money now.
Canadiens:
Their inability to put away the Bruins was troubling, especially giving up four goals each in the third period of Games 5 and 6. All the pressure is on Montreal, the only Canadian team still playing. And here’s to you, Mr. Price. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
EDGE: Flyers.
Keys to the series
1. Stay out of the box. It’s as obvious as making sure the Zamboni has gas, but the team that allows the fewer power plays is halfway home.
2. Keep them in front of you. The Canadiens can skate, and if they turn this into too much of a track meet with odd-man rushes, it will hurt the Flyers.
3. Get physical. The Flyers can’t sag back and allow the Canadiens to gain the offensive zone with speed.