The Montreal Canadiens had the lead with less than two minutes remaining but Jakub Voracek scored with 1:25 remaining and again in overtime to give the Philadelphia Flyers a 3-2 win in overtime.
The Habs would get the first chance of the game when Tomas Plekanec tried to centre the puck from behind the net. It would hit Flyers goaltender Alex Lyon’s stick who would trap it against his body and prevent it from going in the net. The puck would actually fall on the line but not go over it.
They would take the lead later in the first period. Charles Hudon would enter the zone, find Karl Alzner at the point who let a slap shot go where it was tipped in front by Jeff Petry, who had pinched.
Early in the second period, the Canadiens almost doubled their lead when Brendan Gallagher’s shot rang off the post.
The Flyers would eventually tie the game on the power play midway through the frame. Shayne Gostisbehere would enter the zone, drop the puck off to Voracek, who would find Claude Giroux whose pass was tipped in by Nolan Patrick who found inside position in the slot.
The goal would ignite the Flyers as they took over the game from that point on, controlling most of the play and attacking time.
Philadelphia would almost take the lead later in the period, but Voracek hit the post on another Flyers power play.
However, with 11:15 remaining in the third period, it would be the Canadiens would take the lead for the second time. Plekanec passed the puck to Paul Byron in front of the net, who had a wide open net and made no mistake. Lyon had over played to the side of the goal where Plekanec was, and couldn’t adjust to the pass in time.
Then, late in the game, just as Lyon got to the bench for the extra attacker, Voracek’s shot would beat Price after deflecting off of Alzner to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Voracek continued his incredible game. He had a tremendous scoring chance alone in front of Price, but would roof the backhand over Price and into the netting – the one on top of the glass, not the one that counts.
The teams would continue to trade chances. After Claude Giroux would get stopped by Price in front, Alex Galchenyuk would take the play the other way, find Artturi Lehkonen who could pick up the puck. The play would come back to the Montreal end and this time Voracek would make no mistake to give the Flyers the win.
Thoughts
- Carey Price was great in this one, making 30 saves and really kept the Canadiens in the game. The goals he allowed were not his fault and were either deflections or great shots. He rebounded after a tough game against Vegas.
- It’s great to see Claude Julien trusting his young players in overtime. The group of Galchenyuk, Lehkonen and Victor Mete created chances, and the goal allowed was not due to poor coverage. The Canadiens have dynamic talent and it’s nice to see them being used in OT.
- Tomas Plekanec had a really good game. He had the best shot attempt differential (Corsi) at 64.29% at even strength playing mostly against the line of Jordan Weal, Patrick and Voracek. He also was good at creating in the offensive zone. It is this type of game that shows what he does best and why he would be a very attractive addition to a playoff team at the trade deadline.
- It was a tough night for Phillip Danault, who had the worst shot attempt differential of any Canadiens player at even strength, under 30%. It was his first game back after a long layoff against a really good team and he could be excused for taking time to find his legs./
