PHI@MTL: Game Recap

MONTREAL -- The Canadiens eged the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday night at the Bell Centre.

Two hours before puck drop, the Habs announced that the contest would be played behind closed doors with no fans in attendance in order to help ensure the safety and security of fans and fellow citizens.

After being recalled from the AHL's Laval Rocket, goaltender Cayden Primeau made his third start of the season for Montreal.
It was Primeau's first outing with the big club since November 18 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The encounter also marked the return of forward Jake Evans to the lineup following a two-game absence due to injury.

The Canadiens opened the scoring at the 5:20 mark of the first period courtesy of Artturi Lehkonen, who tipped a Brett Kulak point shot past goaltender Carter Hart.

Lehkonen's fourth goal of the season was also assisted by defenseman Alexander Romanov.
The Habs led 1-0 after 20 minutes and held a 19-8 shot advantage as well.
Philadelphia tied things up just 2:20 into the middle stanza when Max Willman solved Primeau with a shot from the slot.
Willman's second goal of the year was assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Hayes.

Mike Yeo's contingent pulled ahead 2-1 with 60 seconds left before the break.
Jackson Cates beat Primeau five-hole off a rush into the offensive zone.
Cates' first career NHL goal was assisted by Patrick Brown and Travis Sanheim.
The Canadiens trailed by one heading into the third period.
Laurent Dauphin scored the equalizer with 5:39 left in regulation, pouncing on a rebound off a shot from Ben Chiarot.

Dauphin's first goal as a Hab was also assisted by David Savard.
That tally forced overtime, which solved nothing, so a shootout was required.
Jonathan Drouin scored the lone goal, securing the victory for Montreal.

Primeau finished the game with 37 saves to help the Canadiens snap a seven-game winless streak.