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BOX SCORE
MONTREAL (AP) -- Though it's a case of too little, too late,
things have been looking up for the Montreal Canadiens since
Patrick Traverse came to town.
Traverse's second-period goal, his fourth of the season, started
Montreal to a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday night.
Traverse, acquired from Boston on Feb. 21, also assisted on Saku
Koivu's 12th goal and Canadiens goalie Jose Theodore stopped 33
shots as Montreal beat Philadelphia for the second time in five
days to extend its winning streak to three.
The Canadiens are 11th overall in the Eastern Conference and
virtually assured of missing the playoffs for the third straight
season.
"When I came here last week the atmosphere wasn't that great,"
Traverse said. "Then we started to win. Even when you're far
behind in the standings, it's still fun to play when you win."
Traverse scored unassisted 17:51 into the second for his first
goal with the Canadiens.
"It's a great feeling, especially a big goal like that,"
Traverse said. "It was important for the momentum it gave us in
the game."
Koivu tapped in Traverse's rebound with 12:21 gone in the third
after the Canadiens defenseman's shot beat goalie Brian Boucher and
hit the post.
"As long as we get the goal, that's the important thing,"
Traverse said.
Daymond Langkow scored his 13th of the season on a power play
with 3:17 left in the third to draw Philadelphia within one.
Montreal forward Martin Rucinsky ended an 18-game goalless
drought when he scored an unassisted goal for his 10th of the
season with 1:14 left in the third. It was his first goal since
Nov. 30.
"It's been a long time," Rucinsky said. "I was out two months
with a knee injury and I worked really hard to keep myself up to
the NHL level and all of a sudden you find yourself in a slump like
that."
The Canadiens were outshot 34-25 overall as the Flyers held a
10-3 edge in the first. Montreal was outshot 31-13 in a 3-2 win in
Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Boucher made 22 saves in his first start since losing 4-3 in
Boston on Feb. 6 in Philadelphia's first game following the
All-Star break.
The Flyers' starting goalie last season, Boucher has been
relegated to backing up 30-year-old Czech rookie Roman Cechmanek.
"I've got to get used to it because it's the only way it's
going to be for me," Boucher said. "I can't use that as an
excuse. I felt pretty good tonight and I felt confident. It's just
one of those things where they got a few breaks, and that's the way
it was."
Traverse, who also played for Anaheim this season, opened the
scoring with 2:09 left in the second as he drove to the net and
fired a wrist shot that went in off Boucher's right arm.
Montreal forward Chad Kilger crashed into the Flyers' net
moments before Traverse's goal after losing an edge. Kilger, who
lay on the ice for several moments after his helmet struck the
post, needed assistance to leave the ice and did not return.
The Canadiens had to play two men short for 1:42 of the last
5:06 of the game after Sheldon Souray was given a double minor for
high sticking with Dainius Zubrus already in the penalty box.
"It's not the best situation," Theodore said. "They were only
down two goals and a team like Philly can make a couple of goals
really quick."
Langkow scored moments after Zubrus came out of the box to draw
the Flyers to 2-1.
Rucinsky, who hadn't scored since Nov. 30, caught a break when
his flip shot at Boucher found its way into the net with 1:14 left
to put Montreal up by two.
"At this point, I'll take anything," Rucinsky said. "I'm just
happy to get that one."
Game notes
Flyers coach Bill Barber called a timeout immediately
following Langkow's goal. ... Boucher hadn't played since relieving
Cechmanek and allowing three goals in a 9-4 loss to Pittsburgh on
Feb. 7. ... ... Montreal recalled defenseman Francis Bouillon from
a three-game conditioning assignment with Quebec City of the AHL.
Bouillon, who didn't dress for the game, missed 23 games due to a
sprained ankle.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Montreal Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 3
San Jose 2
Buffalo 3
Colorado 2
Florida 2
Atlanta 2
Montreal 3
Philadelphia 1
Tampa Bay 6
NY Islanders 0
Ottawa 3
Toronto 2
Washington 4
Pittsburgh 3
Calgary 3
St. Louis 2
Los Angeles 6
Detroit 3
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