Reaching the statistical midpoint of the 2023-24 season. the Philadelphia Flyers (21-14-6) significantly outshot and outchanced the Montreal Canadiens (17-17-6) for much of the game on Wednesday night but had to battle back from an early 2-0 deficit. Sticking to the process, the Flyers pushed for the next two goals before prevailing in the skills competition. Ultimately, Philly defeated the Montreal Canadiens via shootout, 3-2 (1-0), at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday evening.
The Flyers posted a 10-2 shot lead in the first period, but Montreal took a 2-1 lead to the first intermission on two deflected goals. The Flyers had a puck possession edge again in the second period, although not as dramatic as the opening period. Philly tied the game, and the match went into the third period knotted at 2-2.
After a slow start early in the third period, the Flyers largely took over. Philly escaped a few odd-man rushes for Montreal but ended up with the edge in play and numerous scoring chances of their own.
Samuel Erisson had no chance on either of Montreal's deflected goals in the first period and had to wait until 92 seconds into the second period to make his first save. Over the final 45 minutes of regulation and overtime, Ersson stopped all 17 shots he faced, of which six or seven were tough chances. He then went 3-for-3 in denying shootout attempts.
Cayden Primeau was under siege most of the night. He gave the Canadiens every chance to win -- and also had some help from his goal posts and chances that went along the goal line but not over it. Primeau stopped 37 of 39 shots in regulation and OT. He stopped two of three in the shootout.
Owen Tippett (14th) and Morgan Frost (power play, 7th) scored for the Flyers. Sean Monahan (11th) and David Savard (4th) tallied first period goals for Montreal.
The Flyers, who have scored a power play goal in three straight games, went 1-for-2 on the man advantage. Montreal was 0-for-1.
Sudden death overtime was dominated by the Flyers (7-1 shot ended, several high-end scoring chances) but they were unable to end the game in sudden death. Finally, in the shootout, Sean Couturier's goal in the top of the first round stood as the only successful attempt for either side.
Jamie Drysdale enjoyed a successful Flyers' debut, showing his exceptional skating and passing ability while logging 19:46 of ice time. He had a nice assist on Frost's power play goal and was in the middle of several prime scoring chances in OT. Most notable, Drysdale sprang Frost on a breakaway chance with the game on his stick.
For period-by-period synopses, analysis, highlights and stats, see the Postgame 5 on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com: Click here.