NHL Playoffs | Flyers goalie Martin Biron saves the day

PHILADELPHIA — Derian Hatcher was like other Philadelphia Flyers supporters who watched the last 15 minutes of Game 3 on television Monday.

But he did it in the locker room, feeling queasy, stressed and helpless as the team's lead nearly slipped away.

Unlike the other die-hards, Hatcher could have prevented the frayed nerves.

When Philadelphia held on for the victory, Hatcher could thank goaltender Martin Biron that the defenseman's ejection didn't cost the team the series lead.

Biron stopped 32 shots and the Flyers scored three goals in the second period to beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series. Game 4 is Wednesday in Philadelphia.

"Marty has been terrific. He's been our best player in this series," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "We probably felt going in that he would have to be."

Biron lost his shutout — and the Flyers nearly wasted a three-goal lead — when Hatcher was ejected in the third period and Montreal, the East's top-seeded team, capitalized on the lengthy power play.

Hatcher drove his right arm into the center of defenseman Francis Bouillon's back and slammed him into the glass. Bouillon, who wears a visor, was cut near the corner of his right eye.

Hatcher was whistled for five minutes for boarding and a game misconduct at 5:17, ending his night. That was all the opportunity Montreal needed to make its first serious run at Biron. It was nearly enough to tie the score.

"Your first reaction is, you just hope the team can get through it," Hatcher said.

Tomas Plekanec scored a power-play goal after a scramble in front of the net.

Saku Koivu was stopped on a breakaway by Biron's poke check in the first period, but he connected on a power play at 8:41 of the third to close out scoring.

"It got a little scary on the power play," Biron said.

Hatcher felt awful.

"Watching the last 15 minutes was a lot more draining than actually playing the game," he said. "I feel mentally exhausted right now."

The Flyers killed the rest of the penalty and Biron quickly returned to the form of the first two periods, when he stopped shots in various ways. He made 15 of his saves in the third period while the Flyers took a mere two shots on goal. The Canadiens outshot Philadelphia 34-14.

Scottie Upshall, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger scored for the Flyers.

Koivu said, "I don't think we played as well tonight as we did in the second game, but still we were able to put a lot of pucks on net and create a lot of chances."