Photo Credits: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
The Flyers sent defenceman Ty Murchison to rejoin the Lehigh Valley Phantoms making way for the return of Rasmus Ristolainen. Murchison played three games during his call up to the Flyers and did a fine job with the big club. He handled himself well and I am sure the Flyers would not hesitate to have him back should the need arise.
Risto
Tonight in Montreal Ristolainen played his first game with the team since sustaining an injury March 11th 2025. He was playing some of the best hockey of his career when his season was interrupted. Tonight he picked up where he left off. He came right out of the gate firing pucks at the net, winning battles against the boards, and clearing the front of the Flyers net.
At one point Ristolainen demolished Juraj Slafkovský with a clean hit in the neutral zone. Ivan Demidov jumped Risto to seek retaliation for the hit. Demidov repeatedly went after the Flyers defenseman until he was eventually given a two minute minor for cross-checking. Ristolainen characteristically could not have looked less effected or more disinterested during the attack. He skated regular shifts in this game, logging 19:18 in ice time, and ending the night a +2.
The Canadiens drew first blood scoring the first goal of the tilt with just one minute left to play in the 1st period. A shot from the slot that split right between Jamie Drysdale and Emil Andrae and past goaltender Dan Vladar. You hate to give up a goal in the first or last minute of a period it just sets a bad tone. But wait there’s more…
Take it back
Thirty nine seconds later Carl Grundstrom returned the bad vibes by scoring the final goal of the period with 21 second left to play. Owen Tippett with a beautiful back pass across the slot. Grundstrom slammed it home from the circle. First period ends with the score tied at one.
The Flyers were using some interesting combinations on special teams. Using the combination of Noah Cates and Christian Dvorak or Owen Tippett and Garnet Hathaway on the penalty kill. The power-play remained stagnant going 0 for 3 on the night.
The Travis and Trevor show
Once again we saw a beautiful set up and finish from Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras. Storming down the ice on a 2-on-1 break. Konecny passed to Zegras at the red line. Zegras to Konecny at the blue line. Konecny to Zegras in the slot who put the puck between the legs of Jacob Fowler. Zegras playing in his 300th NHL game scores for the 4th time in as many games. 2-1 Flyers.
Last minute again
In the final minute of period number two the Canadiens goaltender lost focus and paid the price. The puck was dumped into the Montreal zone and stopped behind the net by Fowler who seemed to freeze up back there. Matvei Michkov kept up his stride skating behind the net alertly scooping the puck away from the Montreal goaltender.
Michkov tossed the puck out front to Bobby Brink who fired into the open net as Fowler scrambled to get back into his crease after Michkov stole his wallet. 3-1 Flyers.
The Canadiens played a strong 3rd period and applied strong pressure trying to get back into the game. They outshot the Flyers in the final period 12-3 but netminder Dan Vladar was solid as a rock.
Both teams were finishing checks and landing some big hits. The intensity was building in the 3rd period leading up to Brendan Gallagher totally losing his cool on Nick Seeler. Shortly thereafter Josh Anderson and Trevor Zegras went to the box for roughing. It’s hard to see why Zegras was called when it looked like he was just defending himself from Anderson’s stick.
Montreal pulled their goaltender with 3:26 left in regulation. Montreal created some good chances as time was running down but Dan Vladar was up to the challenge. Travis Konecny put the Canadiens dream to bed by scoring on the open net from center ice with 1:35 left in the contest. 4-1 Flyers.
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