Zegras extends goal streak to 4 games as Flyers top Canadiens 4-1

MONTREAL (AP) — Carl Grundstrom and Bobby Brink scored in the final minute of the first and second period, respectively, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

Trevor Zegras, playing in his 300th NHL game, ran his goal streak to a career-high four games as Philadelphia (17-9-6) snapped a season-worst three-game skid.

Travis Konecny added an empty-net goal for the Flyers, and Dan Vladar made 21 saves. Vladar has won both his starts this season in Montreal.

Alexandre Texier scored his second goal in two games for the Canadiens (17-12-4), who have dropped four of six.

Rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler made 17 saves in his first career start on home ice. Fowler has started three of Montreal’s last four games since being called up from the Laval Rocket of the AHL on Dec. 9.

Fellow goaltender Samuel Montembeault was assigned to the Rocket earlier Tuesday on a conditioning assignment.

The Canadiens played without defenseman Mike Matheson for the first time this season. The 31-year-old Matheson, who leads all Montreal skaters with an average ice time of 24:54 per game, is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The Flyers failed to score on their three power-play opportunities, running their drought to 0 for 13 with the man advantage dating to Dec. 7.

Montreal fell to 8-9-1 at home.

Zegras scored his team-leading 14th goal in the second period. He has 33 points this season, surpassing the 32 he had in 57 games last season with Anaheim.

Flyers: Visit the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

Canadiens: Host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras (46) celebrates his goal with teammates Travis Konecny (11) Christian Dvorak (22) during second period NHL hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (32) makes a save on Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny (11) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montréal Canadiens' Alexandre Texier (85) scores on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, in Montreal, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras (46) scores on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (32) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Montreal, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Muslim pilgrims from around the world congregated on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the second official day of the annual Islamic pilgrimage, considered the pinnacle of the Hajj.

Despite the sweltering heat, the pilgrims gathered on the rocky hill and surrounding plain for intense prayers and worship that often mark a spiritual peak for them. They fervently murmured prayers and poured their hearts out in supplications. Many raised their hands in worship. It is common for pilgrims on that day, some with tears streaming down their faces, to ask God for forgiveness, mercy, blessings and good health.

The Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is required once in a lifetime for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to perform it.

For pilgrims, the Hajj, performed over several days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins. As they brave the intense heat to perform religious rituals, many pilgrims have been using umbrellas for shade.

A Saudi official said on Friday that more than 1.5 million pilgrims have arrived in the country from abroad.

This year, Muslims have been pouring into Saudi Arabia for the Hajj against the backdrop of a tenuous ceasefire in the Iran war and related uncertainty in the region.

The U.S. military said Monday that it carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats used to lay mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations with Tehran were “proceeding nicely." Iran on Tuesday denounced the most recent U.S. strikes as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” as negotiations pressed on toward a possible deal to end the war.

For many, performing the Hajj can be a realization of a lifelong dream as they spend years hoping and praying to one day be able to undertake the pilgrimage or saving up money and waiting for a permit to embark on the trip.

“This happens once in a lifetime,” Mohammad Asal, an Egyptian pilgrim, said. “People here have prepared their prayers, hoping that God will respond to them, because we know that ... the most important ritual of the Hajj is being in Arafat.”

The Hajj brings together large numbers of Muslims of diverse races, ethnicities, languages and socioeconomic classes, creating a sense of unity for many. It’s a mass, communal experience, with Muslims performing rituals together. But it is also deeply personal, as every pilgrim brings their own yearnings and experiences.

“It was incredible,” Ahmed Sufyan, a pilgrim from the United States, said on Tuesday. “The unity and peace that we feel is something I’ve never experienced before,” he added via WhatsApp.

“Our wishes are many,” Mohammad Obaid, a Sudanese pilgrim, said, adding he was praying for Sudan and Muslims everywhere.

Fam reported from Winter Park, Florida.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

A Muslim pilgrim pray atop of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims walk towards the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims are silhouetted as they pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims pray at top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Muslim pilgrims read a copy of Islam's holy book Quran atop of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)