The Canadiens tried everything, but the Lightning were simply too strong

Tonight, the Canadiens were in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers. It was the first game of a two-game series in two days.

For the occasion, Cayden Primeau was in front of the Tricolore net, while his family and friends were on hand.

Here’s the rest of the Tricolore line-up:

On the Flyers’ side, Jamie Drysdale was the star of the show, playing his first game with his new team. Remember that he was involved in the Cutter Gauthier transaction, which has been the talk of the town in recent days.

In fact, he was on the Flyers’ first pair of defensemen for the occasion.

In the opening moments of the first period, Sean Monahan made sure of the lead by deflecting Justin Barron’s shot into the Flyers net.

One shot, one goal for the Habs.

For almost 10 minutes after that, the Canadiens didn’t direct a single shot on net. It was finally 9:59 later that the Habs’ second shot was recorded… and once again, it was a goal.

The goal was initially credited to Juraj Slafkovský, but in the end, he didn’t touch the puck: in the end, it was David Savard who added a goal to his record.

Savy or Slaf? Either way, we have another goal

Pucks. On. Net. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/IsK18sZZTA

– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) January 11, 2024

The Flyers hit back before the end of the period, however: Owen Tippett scored his 14th of the season to reduce the Tricolore’s lead.

A rather bizarre sequence for the Habs… and Tippett made them pay.

After 20 minutes, the score was 2-1 to the Habs, even though the Flyers led 10-2 in shots on goal. Obviously.

Early in the second, Mike Matheson made a fine defensive play, but he owed one to Emil Heineman, who gave him some gas to help him pull back.

Quite comical.

But in the end, the Flyers tied the game, as Morgan Frost found the back of the net on the power play.

Jamie Drysdale picked up his first point with his new team on the sequence.

After 40 minutes, the score was 2-2.

The third period saw very little action, with both clubs unable to find the back of the net. The score was 2-2 after 60 minutes.

Overtime was needed, and the Habs could count themselves lucky, given that the Flyers (32) had almost twice as many shots as the Habs (17).

In overtime, Cayden Primeau was extremely solid in front of the Tricolore net. He made a series of spectacular saves, and in the dying seconds, both teams had chances to score.

But in the end, we needed the shootout.

Sean Couturier foiled Primeau in the first round, while Nick Suzuki was frustrated by Samuel Ersson.

Sean Couturier GOAL #Flyers pic.twitter.com/AZ43YC69nb

– Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) January 11, 2024

Travis Konecky hit the post hard, while Cole Caufield saw his shot saved by Ersson.

Bobby Brink had the chance to give his team the win, but Primeau made a fine save to keep his team in the game.

And although Jesse Ylönen had beaten Ersson, he was unable to get his shot on target. The Habs therefore lost.

Final score: 3-2 Philadelphia (TDB)

The Canadiens return to action tomorrow night, when the San Jose Sharks visit the Bell Centre. The Sharks have lost their last 12 games, all in regulation time.

Overtime

– The Habs really stole a point tonight. They deserved to lose in regulation time, but were able to take the game into overtime and the shootout. Logic was respected as the club was defeated, but they went out and stole a point.

– Juraj Slafkovský briefly retreated to the dressing room late in the second period. He was able to get back into the game, but it’s not the first time he’s seemed bothered by something. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious… and above all, that he doesn’t end up aggravating any potential injury he may be carrying around.

– Cayden Primeau got help from his posts on several occasions (five times in regulation time and another time in the shootout, to be precise) as well as from his defenders, who blocked a lot of shots. That said, Primeau was pretty solid overall, especially for a young goalie who plays so little because of the team’s three-man frontline.

– Kaiden Guhle blocked 10 shots tonight. Wow.