Canadiens @ Flyers: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch

Montreal Canadiens @ Philadelphia Flyers

How to watch

Start time: 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
In the Canadiens region: TSN2, TSN Direct (English), RDS, RDS Direct (French)
In the Flyers region: NBCSP
Streaming: NHL.tv/ NHL Live

The Canadiens were able to defeat the Boston Bruins earlier in the week by outscoring their rivals in a back-and-forth game where defence was often optional. Despite shutting down the top line in the league, Montreal still surrendered four goals (five when counting the one that was called back after an offside challenge) as the rest of the Boston lineup got their offensive looks.

Allowing goals has been an issue for the Habs this season, averaging more than three against per game. Luckily, tonight’s opponent is right next to Montreal in that category, so that should cancel out over the 60 minutes.

What Montreal will be trying to do tonight is overload the Flyers in their own zone. We saw last season what can happen when the Canadiens put all their energy into an offensive forecheck. They managed at least 35 shots in each of the three games they played, wrapping up the season series with two victories by a combined score of 8-2. The most lopsided shot advantage actually came in their only loss: a match in which Antti Niemi posted a save percentage of .826 while facing just 23 shots.

This year’s Canadiens team has an even more balanced attack than last year’s iteration. That could be bad news for Carter Hart, who has already given up seven even-strength goals to Montreal in his short career. If Carey Price can outperform the goalie who grew up idolizing him, a win is very much in the cards for the visiting team.

Montreal Canadiens projected lineup

Injured: Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Scratches: Christian Folin, Brett Kulak, Jordan Weal

Philadelphia Flyers projected lineup