Habs/Flyers Post Game December 12th 2013

The Habs were looking to bounce back after a poor outing against the Kings but home ice advantage seemed to favor the Flyers in their 2-1 victory against Montreal, who have now dropped 2 straight in regulation.

The game could have gotten out of reach in the second period after Alexei Emelin was ejected from the game for a elbow to the head on Flyers forward Steve Downie. This resulted in a five minute major against the Habs who allowed nothing to get by Price. Given the recent amount of discipline being handed down by Brendan Shanahan it can be expected that Emelin will be missing a couple of games after tonight.

The Flyers are also coming off of a terrible loss, 7-2 to the Blackhawks and were eager to gain ground in the open Metropolitan division. They were the hungrier team in the game and generated the most chances. The game could have turned into another dropping had Price not been able to maintain composure throughout. He was under heavy pressure and came up big, not only stopping the entire 5 minute major, but with great saves against many other chances from a Flyers team that dominated the puck possession on the night.

Mason was not tested often but did play well enough to give the Canadiens an idea of why he has been their starting goalie as of late. This and the fact that the Flyers only took one penalty on the night, a surprising statement given that they are the most penalized team in the league, left Montreal's power-play off the ice and unable to produce.

The Habs were playing on their heels a large part of the game. When they play to their strengths and use speed and skill to get pucks on opposition net they have done well to emerge victorious this season. On the other hand, playing back and letting the opposition come to you while hoping for mistakes to capitalize on isn't a strategy that should be relied upon to make it to the playoffs during an 82 game season.

The consolidation prize for the Canadiens came with less than a minute remaining when Galchenyuk got one by Mason, ending the shutout bid. While it didnt result in anything more, it is better to score one than it is to be shut out in two consecutive games.

The Canadiens now get ready to face a struggling Islanders squad. Unfortunately, while they did put together a 9-0-1 run this is quickly forgotten when a team goes through back-to-back losses in the style the Canadiens did. The team needs a win, even if it is not convincing it is important to get back on track and keep up their pace in the strong Atlantic division.

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