Martin Biron was again the star of the game as the Flyers held off the Montreal Canadiens to take a two games to one lead in the best of seven conference semifinal. Biron stopped 32 shots as the Flyers erupted for three goals in the second period and held his composure after a rough patch midway through the third period to carry the Flyers to the win.

After a scoreless first period, Scottie Upshall broke the tie with a bullet past Canadiens’ goalie Carey Price 7:04 into the second period. Mike Richards added the second goal of the period with a short handed goal during a Lasse Kukonen penalty. Richards was third best in the NHL in short handed goals during the regular season with five. What would become the winning goal was scored by R.J. Umberger, who one timed a rebound off a Jeff Carter shot. One of the biggest criticisms of Hart throughout these playoffs is his perceived lackadaisical approach, often times not going after the rebound and lazily playing the puck, which has several times led to goals.

Biron appeared to be well on his way to his second shutout of the playoffs until Flyers’ defenseman Darrian Hatcher was given a five-minute major game misconduct for boarding after he drove his right arm into the center of the back of Canadien’s defenseman Francis Bouillon, slamming him into the glass. That put Montreal on a five minute man advantage. The Canadiens would capatalize on their advantage.

Thomas Plekanec quickly scored a goal off a scrum in front of the net to make it 3-1. Soon after Montreal captain Saku Koivu scored to bring the Habs within one. Biron quickly regained his composure and shut them down the rest of the way. It was certainly a long final eight minutes, but Biron again proved that he is the real thing, a goalie that can handle the pressure of the playoffs, something the Flyers’ faithful are unaccustomed to. The last time the Flyers had a goalie that could legitimately be counted on in the postseason was Ron “Stonewall” Hextall.

The difference in this game was the Flyers’ ability to stop Montreal on the power play. The five-minute major notwithstanding, the Flyers were able to shut down the top rated regular season power play, including a two minute five on three in the first period. The Habs had several opportunities to take advantage but were shut down by great penalty kills and superior goal tending. Game four is Wednesday in Philadelphia. The game is on Versus at 7PM.

Note: Responding to a Washington Post article that described Flyers’ fans whose “women and children could be security for Megadeath,” lead singer Dave Mustaine sent a videotaped message of support wearing a Jason Smith jersey.