Although the Flyers were outshot 64 to 46, they found a way to out-score the Islanders 7-5 to take both games to improve to 7-2-1 and tie with Washington for 1st in the East.

Game 1 (W 3-2 OT)

Jumping out to a hot start, the Flyers had arguably their best period of the season, going up 2-0 quick. Voracek takes a beautiful saucer pass from G to get the boys going.

The second goal came after a beautiful keep in by Ghost, who chipped the puck to Provorov near the blue-line. Provorov dishes it over to JVR who finds Kevin Hayes backdoor for the 2-0 lead!

Shots were 6-6 after one period, with the Flyers pressing play all period.

Second period

The 2nd period wasn’t as fun as the 1st.

Jordan Eberle made it 2-1 from the slot after a pinching Pulock found Eberle right where goal scorers make their money.

The Flyers only had 8 total shots combined in the 2nd and 3rd period (4 per period). Their inability to streak consecutive solid periods this season has been very evident. Relying on your goalie to be one of your best players almost every game is a huge ask.

Scott Mayfield had enough time to eat a meal before he shot this puck. Sam Morin must’ve forgot he plays up now, as it looks like he subconsciously sinks back into a defenseman position leaving Mayfield wide open for the goal.

Third Period + OT

No goals in the third period but the Flyers were still chasing play and getting outshot 11-4.

They found a way to get a point and get to OT, where Scott Laughton called game.

Ghost makes another awesome defensive play. He stops Nelson at the line and finds Laughton up ice. Laughton waits and waits, finds a sliver of space and ends the game.

LAAAAAUUUGGGGGHTTTSSSSSS!!!!!!

Game 2 vs Islanders (4-3 OT)

First period

Just like the beginning of the season (having a shot differential of 94) the Flyers were outshot 13-6. Resulting in Brian Elliot having to make the first 7 saves with a few of them being HUGE stops from high-danger opportunities by the Islanders.

Each team had 2 power-plays, the Flyers had a 5 on 3 for a good amount of time but got nothing out of it.

Although the Flyers were out-shot 13-6, the scoreboard told a different story, thanks to Joel Farabee. James van Riemsdyk poke checks the attempted clear by Brock Nelson, resulting in Farabee taking the bouncing puck and ripping it over Sorokins left shoulder.

Farabee passed up on a shot opportunity earlier in the period during a 2 on 1 chance with Scott Laughton that ended in the play going the other way after an attempted pass by Farabee was broken up. Farabee wastes ZERO time with this one.

WHAT. A. SHOT.

Second Period

A very solid period from the Flyers, outshooting the Islanders 11-9 and controlling most of the play in the neutral zone. Staying on top of the puck, very reminiscent of the 1st period from the previous game. Joel Farabee scored his first NHL hatty, putting himself tied with the team-lead in goals (5).

Joel’s 2nd goal of the game came after JVR feeds Farabee right in the slot. Look at that rip!

Farabee’s first career hat-trick came after a very productive shift from Giroux’s line right before the goal. Setting up momentum for the next line hopping on the ice. Laughton enters the zone with speed, drops it back to JVR who gets the puck to the open man at the point (Myers). Myers puts a shot on net that deflects off Joel’s shin pad and in.

HATTY!!!

Third Period

The worst possible period you could’ve imagined. Out shot 10-7 but most importantly out scored 2-0. The first goal game right after a energy shift from NYI’s fourth line. Out came the Barzal line who cut the lead to one after Bailey deflected a Pulock point shot.

The game tying goal came after Hagg ripped a blind shot that wrapped around the boards, left him beat down-low and his team the other way with an odd man rush the other way. Giroux and Voracek both caught watching Barzal tie the game. Some bad defense here.

Overtime

WILD.

Scott Laughton drew a call with 1:30 left in OT. Plenty of time for Hayes to pot his 4th goal of the year. What patience by Laughton when entering the zone and the beautiful feed from Giroux to win it.

The Flyers 5v5 play was a lot better in this game than they were in Game 1. Still out shot 36-29, the Islanders got their surges but Elliott stepped up when he needed to (story of the season) but a stepping stone in solid 5v5 play.

Series Recap

• Brian Elliott stopped 33 of 36 shots, playing some extremely solid hockey from both goaltenders.
• Flyers killed 9 of 10 penalties in this 2-game series
• Bunnaman has had a very solid stretch of games. He’s due for a goal soon.
• Farabee has 8 points in 10 games with 7 of those point from 2 games (4 point night vs Penguins and tonight)
• 5v5 play hasn’t been good, bottom line. Tonight was a slight improvement.
• 7-2-1 without their #1 center and Morgan Frost. It’s obvious they need to get better but wins are wins and they’re doing it without some important pieces.

7-2-1 and have yet to play our best hockey. Go. Flyers.

Mandatory Credit: Zack Hill
                  Philadelphia Flyers