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Canadiens hope to even series with Flyers

Apr 30, 2008 - 1:42 PM Montreal at Philadelphia 7:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference semifinals Flyers lead, 2-1

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to figure out Martin Biron and even their Eastern Conference semifinal series at two wins apiece when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday for Game Four.

Biron made 32 saves Monday as the sixth-seeded Flyers grabbed the series lead with a 3-2 triumph over the top-seeded Canadiens in Game Three.

"When you're in the playoffs, it's not about how you feel, it's about getting the job done," said Biron, who was often the best player for the Flyers in their seven-game series win over the Washington Capitals in the conference quarterfinals. "You got to play every game like it's do or die."

Scottie Upshall and R.J. Umberger tallied and All-Star Mike Richards added a shorthanded goal for Philadelphia, which secured a two-games-to-one advantage in their best-of-seven series.

Tomas Plekanec and captain Saku Koivu had power-play tallies 72 seconds apart in the third period for the top-seeded Canadiens, who enjoyed a 34-14 advantage in shots but were frustrated by Biron.

"Marty has been terrific," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "He has been our best player in the series and we probably felt going in that he would have to be.

"That win on the ice was a win on desperation - especially at the end there. We need to combine that desperation with better execution and it will make the job easier."

Montreal has not enjoyed such reliable goaltending.

Rookie Carey Price finished with nine saves in two periods before being relieved in favor of fellow rookie Jaroslav Halak on Monday.

"He is 20 years old, you can't forget about that," Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau said of his netminder, who has surrendered seven goals on 35 shots in the last two contests.