The Philadelphia Flyers had to battle the New York Islanders in overtime once more. Who scored the dramatic game-winner?
Tonight, the Philadelphia Flyers had an opportunity to turn the tables on their past misfortunes against the New York Islanders. Last night, it took an overtime period to put the Islanders to rest. Scott Laughton scored the game-winner after a beautiful pass from Shayne Gostisbehere. Two points were on the line tonight for Philadelphia in the Mass Mutual Eastern Division standings.
Travis Konecny re-entered the lineup along with Robert Hagg and Brian Elliott. Alain Vigneault made more waves in the locker room, and it’s no coincidence that these aligned with the first series against the Islanders. How did the Flyers respond? Here’s how it all went down tonight from the Wells Fargo Center:
Starting out the right way
On Saturday night, the Philadelphia Flyers spent a lot of time in the penalty box. Early on, the New York Islanders had the first man-advantage when Ivan Provorov served for cross-checking. Later, Michael Raffl would serve a penalty for hooking. The Flyers PK did their job defending the Islanders powerplay.
As Raffl finished serving his penalty, Kevin Hayes nearly scored his first shorthanded goal of the season. He was alone on a fastbreak, but the puck sailed off the crossbar behind Ilya Sorokin. Soon after, Philadelphia picked up the momentum in the offensive zone. James van Riemsdyk was responsible for a very strong forecheck and rewarded with an assist. Joel Farabee scored the first goal of the game, throwing a quick wrist shot on goal from the slot.
Farabee steals the show
Similar to the start of the game, the Flyers served another penalty early in the second period. This time, the Islanders powerplay made good on the error. Nick Leddy tied the game on the powerplay, but the equalizer wouldn’t last.
Joel Farabee had himself a career night. Through two periods, he tallied his first-career hat-trick. He became the third Flyer in franchise history to record a regular-season hat trick before his 21st birthday.
The second of the night was a one-timer served by van Riemsdyk. Completing the hat-trick, Philippe Myers fired from the point as the puck deflected off Farabee and past Sorokin. Along every step of the way to a 3-1 lead, van Riemsdyk set up scoring plays.
Through the second period, Philadelphia had killed thirteen of their last fourteen penalties. They went into the night killing all nine from their last three games. While that means they aren’t playing the most disciplined brand of hockey, the special teams are doing their job. That’s helping Elliott, who turned in another strong performance.
We’ve seen this before…
Comparable to the second period, the Islanders were the first to get on the scoreboard again. Highlighted mentions, Ryan Pulock and Jean-Gabriel Pageau played another good game. Pageau had an assist in the second period, and Pulock has one in the third. Josh Bailey scored the Islanders’ goal via a deflection to cut the Flyers lead to one.
Soon after, Nolan Patrick took a hard hit into the boards by Pulock. Philadelphia played on their heels early in the second period as the Islanders took the momentum. Mathew Barzal scored the equalizing goal, tying the game at three. Once more, the winner was to be determined after regulation time expired
Flyers shine in overtime again
Kevin Hayes was destined to score the game-winner. Earlier in the game, he had two pucks take a bounce off the post. Hayes quarterbacked a couple of great scoring opportunities early on in the overtime period. He finally converted on the rare overtime powerplay with Barzal serving for high-sticking. Flyers defeat the Islanders, 4-3.
Three Stars
Up Next for the Flyers
Wednesday, we are right back at the Wells Fargo Center as the Philadelphia Flyers look for revenge against the Boston Bruins. All the action can be viewed on NBC Sports Philadelphia at 8pm.
Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre
