Larry Henry Jr
The Philadelphia Flyers got some scares from the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens, but ultimately earned a Game 1 win on Wednesday night.
Carter Hart made 27 saves while Ivan Provorov and Joel Farabee each scored goals in a 2-1 win. Shea Weber looked to have given the Canadiens some life in the second period, but Farabee’s eventual winner came 16 seconds after the Habs tied things up.
Provorov gave the Flyers its first power play goal in Toronto with a slap shot finish in the first period. The defenseman’s blast deflected off Paul Byron’s stick before beating Carey Price with 11:06 remaining. Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny registered the assists.
Thank you Provy, may we Hab another. #AnytimeAnywhere | #MTLvsPHI pic.twitter.com/0poa4KUVRP
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 13, 2020
Hart made five saves in the opening period, which got chippier as the minutes went on. The young goaltender kept up his strong performance after the first intermission, denying Arturi Lehkonen on the doorstep.
After consistent pressure from the Canadiens, Claude Giroux rattled the post with just over 16 minutes left in the second period. Scott Laughton also missed a golden chance prior to Giroux’s effort, after Kevin Hayes behind-the-back pass.
carter hart did this with his mind.#AnytimeAnywhere | #MTLvsPHI pic.twitter.com/ovjAa69sFR
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 13, 2020
Laughton’s slap shot from point-blank range look destined for the back of the net midway through the period, but Price’s stick deflected the shot high and over the net.
Weber scored his third goal of the postseason, finishing a rebound into an empty net. The veteran defenseman blasted a shot on the Habs’ first power play of the game after Nicolas Aube-Kubel was sent off for holding.
Joel Farabee needed only 16 seconds to snatch the lead back for the Flyers after some good work in front of Price. A redirection of Travis Sanheim’s shot forced Price into a save, but the 20-year-old New York native finished the rebound for his second goal of the postseason.
Can't rattle this team. #AnytimeAnywhere | #MTLvsPHI pic.twitter.com/83wETemnzI
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 13, 2020
Despite having a pair of power plays in the third period, the Flyers couldn’t increase its advantage and had to settle for a one-goal victory. Hart made some good saves down the stretch to claim an early advantage in the seven-game series.
Game 2 is Friday at 3 p.m ET in Toronto.
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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