Flyers vs. Islanders Game 3 Preview

Coming off a scary but exciting Game 2 overtime victory, the Flyers look to take the lead in the series tonight.

Here is the updated Round 2 schedule for our series with the Islanders. pic.twitter.com/S18MGDEyT5

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 28, 2020

Quick Start

In all of the Flyers playoff games thus far there has been a theme, the team who scores first wins. A fast start in this game is very important, the Islanders seem to have more jump off the opening puck drop in this series even despite Kevin Hayes’s two goals.

We did the thing! #AnytimeAnywhere | #NYIvsPHI pic.twitter.com/cOi2y9S0c8

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 26, 2020

See what a fast start does? Completely halted the Isles in their tracks (until later).

It’s going to be interesting seeing who has more jump out of the gate, especially after that rollercoaster of a Game 2.

Depth

The depth needs to produce more. The only bottom-six Flyer to score since round one is Michael Raffl, and that was when he was in the top-six. If the Flyers want to win this series against the tight-defense Islanders they are going to need some help from the supporting cast, plain and simple.

Lineup Changes

I don’t expect Vigneault to change much this game, he’s finally put together some combinations that allow the top guys the thrive. Scott Laughton could easily slot back into the bottom-six before puck drop, he didn’t play last game.

Scott Laughton says he is healthy, but did say he needs to be better. He said he has to play better to be in the game

— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) August 28, 2020

One interesting topic going into this game was the goalie situation. Since we have a back-to-back coming up some have suggested Vigneault might go with Hart and then Elliott the following game, or vice versa. My personal opinion is you should ride with Hart until he gives you a reason not to, even on the back-to-backs given there is zero travel.

The Flyers and Islanders play Game 3 tonight on NBCSN at 7pm ET. In a 1-1 series, the team who wins Game 3 holds a series winning percentage of 67%.

Let the drinks flow.