Stanley Cup Playoffs : Montreal Pushes Past Philadelphia, 5-2, to Pull Even

When center Bobby Smith regained his form late in the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens put Claude Lemieux back on his line and have been flying ever since.

Smith and Lemieux each had a goal and an assist Wednesday night at Philadelphia to lead the defending Stanley Cup champions past the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-2, and even their semifinal playoff series at 1-1.

“When our line scores, we seem to win,” said Ryan Walter, the third member of the line.

The victory was Montreal’s first against Philadelphia this season after an 0-2-1 regular-season record and an overtime loss to the Flyers in Game 1.

In 13 playoff games, Walter and Smith are tied with 14 points, two behind team leader Mats Naslund, and Lemieux has 11.

“Smith, Lemieux and Walter helped them,” Flyer Coach Mike Keenan said. “They went to the net and forced the action.”

Lemieux fed Smith for a first-period goal, and the Canadiens made it 4-0 in the second period on goals by Brian Skrudland, John Kordic and Lemieux.

Brian Hayward had 21 saves for Montreal and blanked the Flyers for 45:29, until goals by Derrick Smith and Doug Crossman brought Philadelphia within 4-2.

Montreal’s Guy Carbonneau cut short the rally with a goal at 14:06 of the third period.