Canadiens Game Day: Habs and Flyers Clash in Pre-All Star Rumble
nem·e·sis [nem-uh-sis]
–noun, plural
1. something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc.: The performance test proved to be my nemesis.
2. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.
3. Classical Mythology, the goddess of divine retribution.
4. an agent or act of retribution or punishment.
If ever the Montreal Canadiens had a nemesis the Philadelphia Flyers would be that team.
The Flyers and Canadiens have played each other in two playoff series since 2008, with Montreal losing both series four games to one. In addition, the two teams have faced each other three times already this season with the Flyers winning two out of three.
Moreover, Philly has been able to physically dominate the small, fast Canadiens' forwards and, as such, it has been a long time since Montreal has had any real answer for what the Flyers bring.
So tonight's fourth and final meeting is sure to be a high intensity match between these two teams who's rivalry seems to grow with each encounter. Not only because of the bad blood between the two teams but, with a week off for the all-star break starting tomorrow, both teams are sure to leave it all on the ice.
The Flyers are the No.1 team in the league with 69 points in the standings—tied with the Canucks for points but ahead of them in virtue of their 32 wins to Vancouver’s 30—and look like the odds on favorite to make it to the Stanley Cup finals.
Montreal, on the other hand, has had their ups and downs this season. In addition, they are decimated by injuries, having lost both Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges to season ending knee problems. In addition, top sniper, Michael Cammalleri, continues to be sidelined with a separated shoulder.
Yet, despite their losses, "Team Clinic" is 6-1-3 over their last 10 games and only two points out of first place in their division. A win tonight by Montreal would put them in a tie with the Rangers and the Bruins—first place in the Northeast—with 61 points. In addition, it would leave them only two back of Washington and three back of Pittsburgh, fifth and fourth, respectively, in the Eastern conference.
Needless to say, Montreal wants this win really badly.
Another source of motivation is that neither team wants to go into a one week break on a loss, so expect a playoff atmosphere tonight at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly.
Claude Giroux and Mike Richards are their two hottest players for the Flyers, with five points in two games and five points in three games, respectively. For Montreal, the defense is bringing the heat with James Wizniewski's 12 points in his last 11 games and P.K. Subban having six in his last six.
Max Pacioretty has also been heating things up lately with four points in his last two games.
Tonight's game is one that will feature a nice goaltending match up with Carey Price—24 wins—going head-to-head against Sergei Bobrovsky—20 wins.
Montreal will be getting a much needed boost to their lineup with the return of Jeff Halpern in favour of Andreas Engqvist, who was sent back down to Hamilton yesterday.
Game time is at 7:30 pm with the puck dropping around 7:40 pm for what should be one heck of a game!
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images North America)
About Kamal Panesar
Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com, and Habs writer for TheFranchise.ca.
Follow Kamal on Twitter, Facebook, HabsAddict.com, Hockeybuzz.com or email him at kamal@habsaddict.com.
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