The Philadelphia Flyers visited the New York Islanders, wrapping up a four-game road trip. In the fourth and final meeting between both clubs, the Islanders picked up a critical two points, shutting out the Flyers 4-0.
The season series concludes with the Islanders holding a 3-1-0 record.
On the road, the Flyers went 0-4-0 and were outscored 16-5. They’ve lost their last ten games on the road. Their most recent road victory was on February 20th against the Calgary Flames.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Islanders
Throughout the first period, the Philadelphia Flyers mostly controlled the pace. They outshot the New York Islanders, creating multiple scoring chances, but couldn’t solve Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin took the heat thrown his way, saving fifteen shots in the opening period.
Scott Mayfield struck first with 5:41 remaining in the first. His shot from the point was deflected on the way to the net by Anders Lee, and Carter Hart couldn’t track the puck, 1-0.
The Flyers continued to push the pace in the second period, outshooting the Islanders through the halfway point of regulation. Brock Nelson doubled the lead with 12:50 remaining in the second. A beautiful stretch pass from Noah Dobson from the defensive zone found Nelson entering clean, sniping a shot by Hart, 2-0.
Zach Parise nearly increased the lead, but his goal was overturned due to a high stick on the deflection. A costly error was narrowly avoided by the Islanders as well. Sorokin mismanaged a play, nearly spoiling his shutout bid as the puck was saved just inches before it crossed the goal line.
Samuel Bolduc scored his second NHL goal with 4:54 remaining. He joined the offensive rush, received a pass from Bo Horvat, and ripped it past Hart, 3-0. In a must-win game for the Islanders, they were in complete control heading into the third period.
Felix Sandstrom relieved Hart at the start of the third period. In the final period, the Islanders’ defense stagnated the Flyers’ offense. Both of the Flyers’ powerplay opportunities were unsuccessful.
In the final minutes of regulation, Hunter Fasching extended the Islanders’ lead, 4-0. Overall, the Flyers did manage to outshoot the Islanders, 27-21, but Sorokin shut down every scoring chance. With the win, the Islanders remain a point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the wildcard standings, holding the second spot.
Pulling the Hart Strings (-)
Hart gave up three unanswered goals in two periods and was relieved in the third by Sandstrom. He saved 15/18 shots on goal, but John Tortorella decided to roll with Sandstrom to finish the game:
“I didn’t feel like I deserved to be pulled, but it is what it is.”
Carter Hart; 4/8/2023
Tortorella did not elaborate on why Hart was pulled at the start of the third period. The decision doesn’t change plans before the matchup versus the Boston Bruins.
“I just wanted to take him out.”
John Tortorella; 4/8/2023
Up Next
The Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins on Sunday at 6pm at the Wells Fargo Center.
