Flyers 4, Canadiens 1: Late Surge Dumps Habs
The Montreal Canadiens had reason to feel optimistic early Tuesday at the Bell Centre. Alexandre Texier gave them a 1-0 lead late in the first period, finishing a crisp pass from Jake Evans, his second straight game with a goal. For a moment, it looked like the Canadiens could build on that momentum. But the Philadelphia Flyers weren’t about to let Montreal dictate the flow.
By the second period, Trevor Zegras had the visitors ahead 2-1, and the game slipped further from the Canadiens’ grasp as Carl Grundstrom and Bobby Brink added late strikes to make it 4-1. Jacob Fowler, making just his third NHL start and first at home, was tested constantly, stopping 17 shots but ultimately on the wrong side of a Flyers surge.
From Montreal’s perspective, the game offered both flashes of promise and reminders of the thin margins that separate good nights from disappointment. The early Texier goal showed that the Canadiens can create offence when their forwards take the initiative, and the puck moves cleanly. But the Flyers’ ability to strike back immediately — Grundstrom tying it at the end of the first and Zegras breaking the tie in the second — highlighted gaps in Montreal’s defensive coverage and transitional play.
Key Point One: Alexandre Texier’s Consistency
Texier scored early to put Montreal ahead, demonstrating poise and timing in the offensive zone. Even in defeat, his play remains a bright spot for a team still searching for consistent scoring.
Key Point Two: Struggles in Defensive Execution
Montreal struggled to use its defencemen effectively, often dying with the puck in the offensive zone. When the Flyers pressed, the Canadiens lacked structure, and turnovers led directly to goals — a recurring problem that Martin St. Louis will want corrected quickly.
Key Point Three: Jacob Fowler’s Steadying Effort
Fowler faced a heavy workload in only his third NHL start. While the scoreboard wasn’t kind, he showed flashes of composure, making key stops and giving the Canadiens a chance to stay in it longer than the score suggests. His development remains a storyline worth watching.
Final Thoughts from the Canadiens’ Perspective
The Canadiens started strong, but Philadelphia’s savvy and opportunism ran the show in the end. A few sloppy moments and missed chances kept Montreal from holding the lead. Still, Texier’s early goal and Fowler’s stops showed the team has sparks of talent to build on. The Canadiens will need to clean up their defensive play, move the puck more effectively, and make the most of their chances if they want close games to end in wins. Tuesday’s loss stings, but it also lays out the work ahead: find consistency, stay sharp, and keep pushing against teams that don’t make mistakes.