With the Montreal Canadiens getting close to their first playoff berth in four years, the Flyers knew they would have their hands full on Saturday night in Canada.
To their credit, the Flyers managed to take a 1-0 lead into the third period. But that’s where the good feelings ended.
The Canadiens, who have never missed the playoffs more than three years in a row in their history, scored twice in the first few minutes of the final frame just a minute and 16 seconds apart, then added a shorthanded goal later in the period and went on to hand the Flyers a 3-2 defeat at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
It was the Flyers’ first loss under interim head coach Brad Shaw, now 3-1 since taking over for John Tortorella on March 27.
And it officially eliminated the Flyers from postseason play, making it a franchise-tying five straight seasons out of the playoffs. Coincidentally, the two points the Canadiens earned were what pushed the Flyers out of contention.
Goaltender Sam Ersson was the tough-luck loser for the Flyers.
Sean Couturier said his team gave a competitive effort with the possible exception of that early third period miscue.
“Not the kind of start we wanted in the third,” he said. “We didn’t quit but I think we have to do better throughout the 60 minutes. We didn’t respond the right way in the third. Got a push late in the third but it was too late.”
Ryan Poehling gave the Flyers an early 1-0 lead with his career-high 12th goal. Poehling took a feed from Jakob Pelletier and backhanded a shot off the rush past goaltender Sam Montembeault.
Poehling has eight goals in his last 11 games.
“I think I’ve got more opportunity to be on the ice,” Poehling said in a televised interview. “And I’m making the most of it. ”
Poehling was an original Montreal draft pick so that just makes these moments that much sweeter.
Shaw said Poehling’s recent contributions are not a surprise.
“He’s another guy who relies on his legs to create openings and generate the advantages, all the time and space,” Shaw said. “Sometimes you get pucks in the right areas, it’s a great pass by Pelletier. Really outstanding pickup on the backhand and he gets a lot on it. The execution on that play was exactly what we talked about trying to do a little bit more regularly.
After a scoreless second period, Montreal tied it at 1:24 of the third when Brendan Gallagher scored. Then Lane Hutson connected off the rush from a very wide angle at 2:40 for a 2-1 lead. Finally, Nick Suzuki put the game out of reach when Ersson mishandled the puck at the side of the net while Montreal was down a man.
Tyson Foerster scored with 39.4 seconds to play with the Flyers on a power play and Ersson called to the bench.
>Dorwart fine in debut
Recently signed free agent Karsen Dorwart made his NHL debut and Shaw gave a favorable review.
“He seems to see the ice well, seems like he reads plays well,” the coach observed. “I certainly trust his legs. For a first game and an environment like that, he should feel really proud of how he played tonight.”
Dorwart played on a line with Garnet Hathaway and Nick Deslauriers. He wore jersey No. 23.
>Opportunity for Shaw?
In a pre-game televised interview, Shaw discussed the possibility of being named a permanent head coach if the Flyers stick with him next year.
Shaw has only been an NHL head coach once previously in his career. That came with the 2005-06 New York Islanders when he worked the bench for 40 games as interim head coach (18-18-4).
At age 60, Shaw knows the window might be closing on any prospects for steady work as an official head coach.
“I started the majority of my first six or seven years as a head guy, mainly in the minors,” Shaw said. “It’s really kind of what I was doing and then the way into the NHL was through assistant coaching.
“I took the opportunity and had the chance to work with a lot of great coaches over the years. Learned a lot from them – what to do, what not to do. It’s been a long process but I think eventually you kind of get pigeon-holed.”
>Short shots
It’s another significant break in the schedule for the Flyers, who don’t play again until Wednesday when they visit the New York Rangers.
