With some late game skirmishes in Game 2 and a war or words brewing between Montreal and Philadelphia, Monday night’s Game 3 should be nothing if not interesting as the series shifts to Philly - with the Flyers -130 money line betting favorites (over/under: 5.5) on WagerWeb.com.
The bad blood that started brewing in Game 2 came to a head when the Canadiens’ Tom Kostopoulos took a swing at Kimmo Timonen after the Flyers defenseman allegedly taunted him with a smile after R.J.
Umberger's goal with 2:21 to play in Saturday night's contest.
After the game, Flyers coach John Stevens said Kostopoulos' actions were cowardly. On Sunday, Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau responded.
"After the goal, they started taunting our players," the Canadiens coach said. "Just score, go to the bench, be happy. Take the game and just go. Don't go around and start (taunting) our players.
"I think (Timonen) deserved it."
Things promise to get more heated as the series resumes tonight with Game 2's shenanigans still fresh in the players' minds.
"It will get nastier, for sure," Flyers forward Joffrey Lupul said. "I don't know if it's because of that hit, but the more you play a team the more you really start to dislike them.”
Flyers goalie Martin Biron was sensational in Philadelphia's 4-2 win over Montreal in Game 2 with 34 saves. Montreal took 16 shots in the first period and 13 more in the second, which dwarfed the Flyers' game total of 23.The Flyers had lost both of their regular-season home games against the Canadiens and were 1-9 in home playoff games against Montreal. Biron said none of that matters.
"We did what we had to do in Montreal and now we have to take care of business here," he said.
The Flyers could get a boost this week if veteran forward Mike Knuble returns sooner than expected from a hamstring injury. Knuble, who hasn't played since he suffered a partial tear of his left hamstring in a Game 5 loss to Washington, skated on Sunday while the rest of the Flyers were off and said he was ready to play.
"I feel right now I'd be healthy enough to play a game," Knuble said.
Knuble had 29 goals and 26 assists during the regular season, and scored the winning goal in double overtime against the Caps in Game 4. He said after his skate that he felt better and was encouraged he could play in Wednesday's Game 4. He is ruled out tonight.
Montreal defenseman Patrice Brisebois, who did not play in Game 2 after suffering a leg injury in the game-day skate Saturday, did not accompany the team to Philadelphia for Game 3.
Philly has taken a 2-0 lead in each of the series’ first two games.
”We have to have a better start, I have to have a better start," said Habs goalie Carey Price, whose save percentage has dipped from .925 in the first round to .875 against Philadelphia.
The Canadiens were a perfect 4-0 against Philadelphia during the regular season and outscored the Flyers by a 15-6 margin over that span. The Flyers had a 21-14-6 record at home this year, while the Habs posted a very good 25-12-4 mark as the visitors.
Betting trends: Habs are 6-2 in their last 8 Monday games. ... Canadiens are 12-5 in their last 17 overall. ... Flyers are 7-1 in their last 8 home games. ... Flyers are 17-42 in their last 59 vs. Northeast Division. ... Canadiens are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
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