Flyers keep Canadiens from climbing Atlantic ladder, with 4-2 win

PHILADELPHIA – The Montreal Canadiens were looking to climb into econd place in the Atlantic division on Tuesday night, but the Flyers handed them a 4-2 setback to deny the Habs.

Jakob Dobes #75, Jake Evans #71 and Adam Engstrom #42 of the Montreal Canadiens fail to stop Matvei Michkov #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers scoring a goal.

“Felt like we played a pretty good hockey game overall,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. “Thought we generated a lot. There’s just some small little plays that ended up in the back of our net. I thought that it’s just one of those nights where it just didn’t go our way.”

Samuel Ersson made 27 saves in the win.

“Great crowd today,” Ersson said. “It’s a fun game to play. I think we got a lot of energy after yesterday. Even though it’s a back-to-back, you felt like you were kind of pumped to go out there and play. A lot of good feelings.”

The Flyers took a 2-0 lead in the pored on strikes by Porter Martone and Oliver Bonk.

“I was ecstatic,” Bonk said. “I’ve scored a couple firsts — first in the AHL, first in the (Ontario Hockey League). It’s always special, but I think this is the one that you’ll never forget and you’ll tell your kids about, so I was really pumped.”

Montreal trimmed the deficit to 2-1 on a marker from Brendan Gallagher at 6:50 of the middle frame.

“Every game in that jersey is special to me,” he said. “I’ve been out of the lineup for a while and I just wanted to play well. Wanted to have a game you can be proud of and try to contribute to the success. Thought I did that and we’ll see what happens going forward.”

Seven minutes later, Matvei Michkov restored the two-goal lead at 3-1.

“He’s getting information, and I think he’s starting to understand and apply it,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said. “I think early on, maybe he didn’t understand it as much and maybe got frustrated. … I think he’s just applying the information. I think communication is a lot better, too, with the language barrier and stuff like that.”

Jake Evans scored with 11 seconds left on the second period clock to make 3-2.

The Flyers’ Alex Bump at 12:00 of the third for the 4-2 final count.

Jakub Dobes made 21 saves in the loss.

Jake Evans #71 of the Montreal Canadiens receives congratulations from his teammates for his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers

A diving Jake Evans #71 of the Montreal Canadiens pushes the puck past goalie Samuel Ersson #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Jakob Dobes #75 of the Montreal Canadiens attempts to gather the puck

Jakob Dobes #75 of the Montreal Canadiens blocks a shot by Denver Barkey #52 of the Philadelphia Flyers

A shot by Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens slides under the pad of Samuel Ersson #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers and deflect off the post into the net.

Hunter McDonald #75 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Samuel Ersson #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Jacob Gaucher #78 of the Philadelphia Flyers battles Lane Hutson #48 of the Montreal Canadiens for the puck

Jakob Dobes #75, Ivan Demidov #93, David Reinbacher #64 of the Montreal Canadiens scramble for the loose puck as Matvei Michkov #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers advances