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Gagne Says Flyers Are Starting To Play 'Good, Decent Hockey'

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Flyers will try to extend their winning streak to three games tonight as they skate with the Canadiens at the Center in the finale of a five-game homestand.

"I think we're starting to play pretty good, decent hockey," Flyers forward Simon Gagne tells KYW Newsradio.  "Especially the last two games at home, big win against Boston, maybe one of the top teams in the conference.  After that, play back-to-back against Washington, being down by two goals, coming back and tying the game late in the third and finding a way to win the game in overtime, getting two extra points."

The Flyers are 2-1-1 on this homestand, but with 33 points, they still sit six points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"The only way we have to go, is play one game at a time, not looking too much ahead," Gagne says. "You want to make sure to look at the standings every night, see where you're at.  But we know that if we play some good hockey, and at the end of the night we play our best hockey we've got a better chance to get the two points at the end."

Simon Gagne Interview

Montreal comes to town with 51 points, which has them atop the Northeast Division.  This comes just a season after they finished dead last in the same division.

"(They) brought some role guys that will give them some physical aspects, give them some energy on the ice," Gagne says.  "Their defenseman (Andrei) Marcov that got hurt the last two years and didn't play, now is playing, is healthy.  (Defenseman P.K.) Subban is playing maybe the best hockey of his career.  And they have good goaltending, too.  All that together, they're a dangerous team now.  They're going to be really tough to beat tonight and even in the playoffs they're going to be one of the favorites in the conference."

Gagne has tallied two goals and an assist in 14 games with the Flyers since being reacquired in a deal with Los Angeles on February 27th.

"I was really excited (to come back to Philadelphia)," Gagne says.  "Everything started here.  I got drafted here when I was 19-years-old and so many good moments happen here.  Not only during the season, but during the playoffs.  And at this time of the season, this is where it's fun to play hockey, for a hockey town like Philly.  Play in front of your fans and battling for a playoff spot."

After tonight, the Flyers will play their next three games on the road.

The Flyers and Canadiens face-off at 7:30pm.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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