Don’t expect a warm welcome for Danny Briere ad Simon Gagne in Montreal just because they are locals. In fact, knowing Habs fans, it’s likely that Briere and Gagne get a more “enthusiastic” response than anyone on the Flyers.
Yet for these two players, getting a chance to play in Montreal is special enough. Per Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com:
“It will be special,” Gagne said. “We know what to expect when we’re in Philly. We know the crowd and how loud it is, and we kind of use that on our side. ... The city’s crazy, and it’s going to be special to go there for four days and be part of it.”
“I expect it,” Briere said. “But I’ve been through it before. I’ve been through it in the playoffs before. I don’t expect any less boos, which is kind of nice, because they’ll leave Chris Pronger alone a little bit. It’s part of the game and it’s fun. It means that you’re doing something well. I take it as a compliment more than anything.”
That the two will be heartily “welcomed” is just an added spectacle for the game, with what will undoubtedly be an insanely boisterous home crowd.