Last night, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New York Islanders, 3-1. Snapping their ten-game losing streak, the Flyers have won their first game since November 8th, 2022.
An entertaining first period
After an eventful final few minutes during Saturday’s game, which included some fights, that energy carried into the Wells Fargo Center. It took :07 for Zack MacEwen and Matt Martin to square off. A second after that fight, Nicolas Deslauriers and Ross Johnston dropped the gloves.
On Saturday, Deslauriers didn’t take it kindly when Alexander Romanov hit Kevin Hayes. It was suspected there would be punches thrown:
“I kinda started all of that thing last game and I’m always ready to answer the bell. I think he [Ross Johnston] would’ve done the same thing if it was the opposite of me coming into the lineup to do that. I think it was good to get that going and obviously guys stepped up and it’s huge to get a win.”
Nicolas Deslauriers; 11/29/2022
The Islanders got onto the scoreboard first. Rasmus Ristolainen gave the Islanders powerplay a five-on-three opportunity. Noah Dobson capitalized on the two-man advantage.
Shortly after, Travis Sanheim tied the game for Philadelphia. Shorthanded, Noah Cates created a three-on-two chance. On the rebound, Sanheim chipped the puck just enough to beat Ilya Sorokin.
Soon after, Hayes potted his seventh goal of the year. Off the faceoff in the offensive zone, Hayes sniped the puck glove side. At the end of the first period, the Flyers were on top, 2-1. Unlike Saturday, the Flyers held onto their 2-1 lead. Hayes scored an empty-net goal to secure the win.
Hart leads the way
Carter Hart battled his way back into the win column. After losses against the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins last week, Hart led the charge in helping the Flyers snap their ten-game losing streak. He stopped 23 of 24 shots and finished with a 95.8%SV.
The Flyers played a complete game from start to finish for the first time in a while and Hart recognized that:
“I think that was one of our best games, if not the best game of the year for us as a group from start to finish. Obviously, they get the first one there on the five-on-three. I thought we really bared down and played really hard. Got pucks deep, gave them the forecheck, and didn’t give them a lot.”
Carter Hart; 11/29/2022
Kevin Hayes isn’t in the doghouse
John Tortorella shuffled Hayes around the lineup over the last handful of games. Primarily in the center, Hayes flipped to both wings during the Flyers’ ten-game slump.
Last night, Hayes played along the right wing. His shuffling in the lineup created skepticism around a splintered relationship between Tortorella and Hayes. Following the victory, Tortorella shut down the skeptics:
“Everyone thinks Kevin is in the doghouse, Kevin isn’t in the doghouse. Kevin needs to learn to play the right way, and I think he is trying to do that. So, he gets an opportunity tonight and scores a goal for us.”
John Tortorella; 11/29/2022
Hayes scored the final goal of the night, courtesy of an Islanders empty net. Off to a blazing 2022-2023 start, Hayes has 24 points (8G, 16A) in 23 games.
Next Up
The Flyers are back on the ice Thursday when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. The puck drops at 7pm.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
