The Broad Street Blog

After a poor performance in game 3 by Carey Price and subsequent benching in the third period, the big question coming into tonight’s game 4 was who would be in net for the Canadiens. Following game 3 and during practice yesterday, Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau refused to answer who would be the starting goaltender for game 4. Shortly before game time, Carbonneau announced that Jaroslav Halak was starting for Montreal, and Carey Price would be riding the pine.

For the Flyers, this game saw the return of Mike Knuble. Knuble injured his hamstring during game 5 against the Washington Capitals. Knuble’s return meant good things for a Flyers power play that was very disorganized in the previous game and wasn’t able to even get a shot.

In the first three games of this series, it was the Flyers that were able to score first and build a lead. Only in the first game were the Canadiens able to come back against the Flyers. Montreal came out with the obvious intent to reverse that trend. They peppered Martin Biron with shots, but Biron would stand tall like he has all series. Even with two early power play opportunities, the Canadiens were not able to put a point on the board. The Canadiens would outshoot the Flyers 14-7 in the first period, but the period ended in a 0-0 tie.

The second period would see several quality shots fired at both goaltenders, but the 0-0 tie stood until the Flyers were able to take advantage of an interference penalty taken by Montreal captain Saku Koivu. On the power play, Danny Briere would make a cross ice pass to RJ Umberger who fired it into the back of the net. The Flyers ended the period with the lead.

Early in the third period, Vinny Prospal would ring a shot off the post, but the rebound bounced right to Scott Hartnell who put the puck behind Halak to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead. However, the Flyers this season have done nothing the easy way this year. About half way through the period, Montreal would get two quick goals from Tomas Plekanec and Koivu.

With the game tied, Steve Begin took a run at Sami Kapanen and was called for interference. Begin’s hit could have been very serious, as he hit Kapanen near an open bench door, and could have easily injured him with the exposed corner. Begin clearly saw the the open door, but did not let up on Kapanen.

The Flyers made the Canadiens pay by scoring on the resulting power play. Danny Briere knocked in the puck from the side of the net. Umberger would add an empty net goal to ice the win for the Flyers. The Flyers now head back to Montreal for game 5 on Saturday night with a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

Quick Notes
Martin Biron made 36 saves on the night. RJ Umberger has scored in every game of this series, and now has 7 goals in this year’s playoffs. Danny Briere’s game winning goal was his 8th goal of the playoffs. Mike Knuble had an assist on Briere’s goal in his return from injury.

Highlights

Game Summary
Box Score

Tags:   Biron · briere · canadiens · Halak · Hartnell · Price · UmbergerNo Comments