[jg2977]

Last year, the Flyers were the story. They came out of nowhere, knocked off the top-seeded Rangers, and suddenly Philly fans were dreaming big. Playoff upsets? That’s their identity now. But this season? The script flipped. And Montreal had the pen.
We’re talking about a Wild Card Game that felt like karma delivered on skates. Philadelphia, the team that sent Montreal packing last year, got a taste of their own medicine. Six to three. Montreal didn’t just win—they made a statement. And let’s be honest, in the NHL, momentum is everything. One year you’re the giant killer, the next year you’re the cautionary tale.
Sergio Beltran? Player of the Game. He didn’t just show up, he dominated. One hit, two runs, an RBI, and three walks—he had Montreal buzzing. You talk about a guy who rises to the moment, that’s him. And while Philly’s bats tried to fight back—hello, two homers from J. Barry—they were playing catch-up the whole way.
And the pitchers? A. Sanchez for Montreal threw six strong innings, handled 134 pitches, and kept Philly at bay. On the other side, Philly’s D. Gutierrez couldn’t find the strike zone when it mattered most. Five runs in under four innings—rough night. That’s playoff-level failure right there.
Here’s the reality: only one team moves forward, only one team has a shot at the Cup. Montreal just reminded everyone why they’re in that conversation. The Flyers? They’ll regroup, but right now, they’ve been reminded that the NHL is a league that doesn’t forgive. You beat someone one year, you don’t get a free pass the next.
And for Philly fans—this one stings. But if you’re a Montreal fan? You’re walking out of Wells Fargo with a grin, thinking about the Rangers next, thinking about what could be. This isn’t just a Wild Card win—it’s a message. And in hockey, messages like this? They echo.