Flyers Lineup

Claude Giroux – Nolan Patrick – Jakub Voracek

Oskar Lindblom – Kevin Hayes – James van Riemsdyk

Samuel Morin – Scott Laughton – Joel Farabee

Michael Raffl – Connor Bunnaman – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Ivan Provorov – Shayne Gostisbehere

Travis Sanheim – Philippe Myers

Erik Gustafsson – Justin Braun

Carter Hart – Brian Elliott

Robert Hagg, Travis Konecny, Mark Friedman

Sean Couturier (rib separation), Morgan Frost (dislocated shoulder)

Game Report

First Period

To put it simply: yes. The Flyers played probably one of the most complete periods of hockey we’ve seen them produce so far this season. They skated hard, forechecked well, kept a brisk pace, made clean passes, and clogged up the neutral zone. The defense even looked more solid, particularly with Philippe Myers back in the lineup from injury. The Islanders were completely outworked at every point on the ice.

Jakub Voracek did exactly what was needed when he combined with Claude Giroux and Scott Laughton on a pretty little give-and-go to put Philadelphia on the board early.

Kevin Hayes got in on the action after Ivan Provorov and James van Riemsdyk set him up with another nice passing play, which Hayes was able to easily put into an open net. The Flyers were buzzing.

Second Period

Apparently their wings got tired, though, because the second period didn’t look anything like the first. The Islanders got their skates under them, and controlled much of the play, particularly along the boards. The defense looked a bit shaky at times, and coverage broke down completely on two occasions where defensemen doubled up on an Islanders skater down low, leaving a shooter open in the circle. On both occasions, New York found the back of Carter Hart‘s net and evened the score at 2-2.

On the positive side, the Flyers penalty kill looked pretty solid, and the fourth line continued to show their skill. Michael Raffl and Connor Bunnaman had a good scoring opportunity in the period where Raffl showed immense patience in waiting for a lane to open up. He managed to get the shot off, but Semyon Varlamov was up to the task and Bunnaman just couldn’t get to the rebound in time. A good effort, nonetheless.

Third Period

If you saw the second period, or read the paragraph above this one, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what the third period looked like as well. Just like back in the summer playoffs, the Flyers could not handle the Islanders forecheck and New York took full advantage. Hart handled the barrage well, though, and even had some pretty significant saves toward the end of the period when he pushed across the crease quickly to rob Leo Komarov of a late-period goal.

The Flyers had some good bursts in overtime, but Shayne Gostisbehere came up with a brilliant defensive play along the boards in front of the benches to spring Scott Laughton. Laughton then patiently waited for his moment, skated around the New York defenders and potted his first goal of the season to give the Flyers their third consecutive win.

What’s Next?

In the opening 20 minutes of this game, four of the five guys responsible for the poor play on the top two lines last game made big contributions and were rewarded with points. It’s exactly what the veteran leadership is supposed to do. If they can build on that for the rematch tomorrow, it’s a good foundation moving forward.

After the game, Vigneault confirmed that Brian Elliott will start tomorrow for the second half of the back-to-back, and also that Konecny will be back in the lineup.

Plus / Minus

▲  Claude Giroux, Shayne Gostisbehere, Scott Laughton

▼  Carter Hart