Canadians vs. Flyers

                                                                                         

Montreal -120 vs. Philadelphia

Last season the Montreal Canadiens were riding high and were the odds on favorite to win the Eastern Conference. That was until they ran headlong into the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the playoffs. History somewhat repeated itself just over a month ago when the Canadiens, playing well, lost a home game to the struggling Flyers 2-1. Philadelphia then excelled on their longest winning streak of the season, six, while Montreal has not been the same since.

The Flyers (17-7-6) have quite an impressive record when you take into account that they were the last team in the NHL to record a victory when they started the season (0-3-3). Since that November 15 victory over Montreal, the Flyers lead the league with a 12-1-2 record.

Tuesday night they whipped the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 and claimed their fifth victory in a row. With a victory tonight against the Canadiens, the Flyers will match their longest streak. Mike Richards and Simon Gagne each recorded a goal and two assists. Philadelphia's Captain, Richards, has been the key factor in the Flyers rise from the ashes by recording seven goals and eight assists.

The Canadiens (16-9-5) lost their third in a row, 3-2, in Carolina. Montreal committed a season-high 11 penalties which led to all three of the Hurricane goals. If Montreal loses to Philadelphia, they will be saddled with their first four-game skid since February 2007.

Montreal is looking to change their luck by starting backup Jaroslav Halak in net, who has a 2.27 goals against average. Starter Carey Price has been out for four games with a lower body injury. He will face the Flyers backup goalie, Antero Niittymaki. Flyers starter Martin Biron will miss his second straight game as he recovers from the flu.

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