Game two was a must-win scenario for the Philadelphia Flyers. Including the regular season, the New York Islanders were undefeated against the Flyers. To claim their first victory against the Islanders, Philadelphia needed to come out hot. The tides needed turning from game one. Overtime hockey was required, but the Flyers were on the winning end in this contest.
Something that I have been clamoring for came to fruition. The Philadelphia Flyers put together their original first line (Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Jakub Voracek) and started hot. Their energy on the opening shift was contagious to the rest of the top six forwards. Now, the Flyers needed to keep that intensity for all three periods. Game two was just as much about how the New York Islanders refuse to give up.
First Period
Semyon Varlamov needed to extend his shutout period an extra forty seconds to surpass Billy Smith’s 1980 New York Islanders record. He accomplished that feat, but at a hefty cost. Just under two minutes into the first period, Kevin Hayes sniped his first goal after receiving a beautiful cross-ice pass from Travis Konecny. On his second shot of the game, Hayes scored again after Joel Farabee regained possession. Varlamov lasted about fifteen minutes in game two before he was pulled by Barry Trotz after Sean Couturier scored his first of the postseason.
Second Period
Thomas Greiss was poised to do better, and he did. He has not played a game since March 7th, 2020. Greiss’ last performance went down as an overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Almost twelve minutes into the second period, the New York Islanders scored a powerplay goal when Anders Lee deflected a pass by Carter Hart. Hart did all he could, but Lee had a prime position on Matt Niskanen along the crease.
Third Period
Philadelphia Flyers beat writer, Sam Carchidi, reminded us of the regular-season game when the New York Islanders came back from three goals to win in overtime. Part of that was correct about yesterday. Anthony Beauvillier scored on a give-and-go, three-on-two breakaway. The Islanders tied the game late from a shot by Jean-Gabriel Pageau after a bad turnover in the defensive zone by Travis Sanheim. It was the second time the Flyers gave up a three-goal lead to New York in the same season.
Overtime
A familiar story had a new ending. Alain Vigneault did challenge the New York Islanders’ final goal as offsides. To this moment, it looked like it was offsides, but former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Martin Biron provided a great explanation. The Flyers are no stranger to overtime hockey in 2019-2020. Philippe Myers was the author of this ending, sealing the victory with a goal from the blue-line.
Flyers Are Buzzing, First Line Winning
All of the goals scored were controlled by the Philadephia Flyers top-six forwards. Kevin Hayes on the first goal happens after an important faceoff win by Claude Giroux and a brilliant pass by Travis Konecny. Hayes’ second goal is a product of Joel Farabee’s defense in the neutral zone. Sean Couturier secured his first goal, and Giroux received the assist. These are the first two lines that the Flyers should have had all along.
#BobbyHaggHive
It is our hashtag here at Philly Sports Network, and let me explain why. Robert Hagg is a player that has earned his role. He has been consistent throughout the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. If you want a physical presence, Hagg is your guy. Throughout the postseason, the Philadelphia Flyers have only lost once with Hagg in the lineup.
Philadelphia Myers
Not only is the #BobbyHaggHive brand thriving, but my Philadelphia Myers brand soared. He recovered nicely from game one. His overtime goal is what secured the Philadelphia Flyers’ first victory over the New York Islanders in 2019-2020. Myers finished just behind Robert Hagg with four hits. His line thrived in game two.
Our game three preview is listed on the page below.
