Monday's NHL Best Bet
Montreal Canadiens at Philadelphia Flyers (-180, 5)
Philadelphia Flyers center Jeff Carter and winger Ian Lapierre were told their seasons were over one month ago. The hockey gods had other plans.
Carter broke his foot for the second time this season on April 20 and LaPierre got 70 stitches in his head after being hit by a puck two days later. Neither was expected to lace up the skates again until next season.
But the season got longer when the Flyers fought their way out of a 3-0 hole against Boston and both players made remarkable recoveries to get back in the game for the first time in Saturday's win at Montreal.
They were limited to a combined 23 minutes in Game 4, which was used just to let them get their skates under them after the long layoffs. But they did provide an emotional lift and will be unleashed tonight.
"To have them both back at the same time was a good confidence-booster for us, and both of them played great," said Flyers goalie Michael Leighton, who scored his third shutout of the series Saturday. "For being off so long, they both jumped into the lineup and did what they've been doing all year."
The duo combined for 36 goals and 45 assists this season so the Flyers suddenly have increased firepower. But they also have provided an inspirational spark to a team on a roll.
It's hard to count out the Canadiens after their escapes from elimination this postseason, but they're on the ropes getting a standing eight.
Pick: Flyers
What Bettors Need To Know: Canadiens at Flyers
The Montreal Canadiens have dug themselves into another playoff hole. To continue their miracle run, the Habs will have to win three in a row starting with Monday’s game in Philly.
The goal is to score
The Habs were shut out for the third time in the series, the first time that’s happened in Montreal’s 101-year franchise history. They only mustered 17 shots and were dominated in the second period when the Flyers outshot the home side 13-1.
“We didn’t execute and we got away from the game plan,” Habs forward Tomas Plekanec told the Montreal Gazette. “We had too many guys trying to do it by themselves. We didn’t support the defense and they didn’t support us.”
So what is the game plan?
Hockey analysts say Montreal was successful in Game 3 because it dumped the puck in and harassed Philly’s defensemen into coughing up possession. The Canadiens didn’t attack with the same strategy in Game 4.
"We didn't get the puck deep in the second period. We turned the puck [over] numerous times," Canadiens coach Jacques Martin said after the game.
"We played in what you call a danger zone, if you ask me. The blue lines are usually dangerous zones. At your own blue line, you have to get the puck out, and the offensive line, you have to get the puck deep."
Welcome back Carter
Philly got a big bounce by the return of Jeff Carter. The team’s second-leading scorer in the regular season was expected to miss the remainder of the season when he broke his foot in the first round of the playoffs.
"It's awesome," Carter told the Camden Courier-Post. "When I got hurt, I thought I was going to be the cheerleader.
He played almost 14 minutes in his first game in over a month and skated with Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. He had four shots, four hits and won three of his four faceoffs.
Losing an edge
NBC color commentator Pierre McGuire reported during the second period of Saturday’s game that there was on the ground in the Flyers’ hallway.
Whatever was on the ground must didn’t help out Philly’s skaters. Several players missed shifts in the second period because of skate problems.
“We had skate issues, that’s for sure,” coach Peter Laviolette told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “You know, we lost [Mike] Richards three times, Kimmo [Timonen] two times, and I don’t know.”
Whether it was gamesmanship or just some unexplained spillage, there some definitely something whacky going on with the Flyers skates.
“I think it was five times that I had to get my skates sharpened tonight, which is obviously a bit much,” Richards said. “I’m not sure [what happened]. I didn't check the carpet for [sand].”
Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The fans at Wachovia Center will be treated to a game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Philadelphia Flyers when they take their seats on Monday.
Michael Leighton recorded his third shutout of the Eastern Conference finals as the Flyers defeated the Canadiens 3-0 last time out in Game 4. The Flyers won that game as +105 underdogs, while the teams played UNDER the posted over/under (5) set by oddsmakers.
Claude Giroux scored a pair for the Flyers, who lead the series 3-1. Ville Leino added the other marker in the win.
Team records:
Montreal: 39-33-10
Philadelphia: 41-35-6
Montreal most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Tampa Bay are 7-3
After playing Montreal are 8-2
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Montreal is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Montreal
Next up:
Philadelphia at Montreal, Wednesday, May 26
MONTREAL (48-41-0-11, 107 pts.) at PHILADELPHIA (52-39-0-7, 111 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 21-7 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
MONTREAL is 48-52 ATS (+111.8 Units) in all games this season.
MONTREAL is 15-16 ATS (+41.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
MONTREAL is 13-10 ATS (+26.9 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
MONTREAL is 28-22 ATS (+55.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 93-89 ATS (-90.0 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 11-10-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
12 of 21 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.7 Units)
MONTREAL vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Eastern Conference Finals Game Five (Philadelphia Leads, 3-1)
MONTREAL AT PHILADELPHIA
MONTREAL: 5-0 SU when facing elimination
PHILADELPHIA: 12-19 SU off a combined score of 4 goals or less
NHL News and Notes
Canadiens failed to score in their series losses; they're 1-16 with a man advantage in series (26:21). Montreal has had edge in shots on goal in first period of all four games (53-26 total). Philly is 7-1 in its last eight games. A strange stat: road team is 0-14 on power play in series (23:39), home teams are 5-18 (28:46). Philly took charge of series with dominant second period Saturday, outshooting Habs 13-1, outscoring them 2-0. It would help Flyers to win here, since Chicago is already in the Finals.