
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Matvei Michkov scored a goal and had two assists in the Philadelphia Flyers' 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. This win secured the Flyers' playoff berth and home series for the first time since 2018.
Montréal Canadiens' Jake Evans, center, high fives Brendan Gallagher (11) after Evans scored during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Montréal Canadiens' Jake Evans, center, high fives Brendan Gallagher (11) after Evans scored during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Montréal Canadiens' Joe Veleno skates with the puck past Philadelphia Flyers' Noah Cates (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Philadelphia Flyers' Porter Martone skates the puck past Montréal Canadiens' Zachary Bolduc (76) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov, center, celebrates his goal with Noah Cates (27) and Oliver Bonk during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Montréal Canadiens, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Montréal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, left, makes a save past Ivan Demidov (93) and Philadelphia Flyers' Alex Bump (20) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Matvei Michkov had a goal and two assists and Porter Martone had one goal to lead the playoff-bound Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Flyers rested most of their key veterans a night after they secured their first playoff berth since 2020 and first home playoff series since 2018. Flyers fans dressed in orange waved “Let's Go Flyers” rally towels and were in a joyous mood for most of the festive night. There are more good times ahead. The Flyers are set to travel to Pittsburgh for the first two games of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Michkov and Martone helped spoil Montreal's shot at hosting the East first-round series against Tampa Bay. The 19-year-old Martone, who starred for Michigan State only weeks ago, scored his fourth goal of the season when he deflected in Michkov's point shot early in the first period for the 1-0 lead. Oliver Bonk scored his first career NHL goal later in the period for a 2-0 lead. Michkov assisted. Brendan Gallagher scored for Montreal to make it 2-1 in the second. Michkov scored unassisted (his 20th overall) for a 3-1 lead in the second period as one fan raised a “We Want More!” sign. Jake Evans cut it to 3-2 in the final seconds of the second period. Alex Bump sealed the win in the third with his fifth goal of the season that made it 4-2. Samuel Ersson made 27 saves foe the Flyers and Jakub Dobes had 21 for Montreal. The Flyers ended the season on an 18-6-1 tear that propelled them into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Flyers and Montreal hit the road to open the NHL playoffs. \\\_ AP NHL:
The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2.
Matvei Michkov scored one goal and provided two assists, while Porter Martone also scored a goal.
The victory secured the Flyers' playoff berth, marking their first appearance since 2020 and their first home playoff series since 2018.
The Flyers are set to travel to Pittsburgh for the first two games of an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

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