Coming in to tonight’s match up at the Wells Fargo Center, the Philadelphia Flyers were looking to build on their successful series against the New Jersey Devils.
The Flyers started off strong offensively.
Just 3:38 in to the opening period, the Flyers scored their first of two first period goals through an excellent cross ice pass from Claude Giroux to Jakub Voracek. Minutes later, the Flyers momentum continued as they went up 2-0 on a goal by Kevin Hayes. JvR set up the goal with a beautiful pass. The Flyers defense looked excellent as they shut out the Islanders in the first period.
Things were different in the second period as the Islanders offense started to click. Seven minutes into the second period the Islanders scored a goal by Jordan Eberle off an excellent pass by Adam Pelech to cut the Flyer lead in half.
The Islanders continued their offensive pressure and tied the game on a goal by Scott Mayfield assisted by Nick Leddy and Mathew Barzal.
The Flyers struggled in the second period and were lucky to be tied at two at the end of the period. It was a back and forth third period, but nobody scored. There were some great saves by both goalies and the game went into overtime.
It was a happy ending for the Flyers as they scored a goal 3:16 in to the overtime period. Shayne Gostisbehere made an excellent steal in the defensive zone and passed the puck to Scott Laughton. Laughton skated along the boards and crossed in to the center and used Claude Giroux as a decoy before shooting the puck in the net for his first ever regular season overtime winner.
The Flyers won 3-2 in overtime making their record to 6-2-1 and the Islanders dropped to 3-4-1.
NEXT UP: Flyers are back in action on Sunday, January 31st against the Islanders again. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
You know, there seems to be an awful lot of OT games in this 2021 season…. ? With only 56 games in this season, what 35 OT Wins in 9 game ?, and if i was a conspiracy theorist, I almost think there may be some unwritten but understood agreement to play to a “tie” if the situation presents itself in the game. You both get a Point and the winner gets the additional point for a win. I have always thought the OT should be played to a WIN, that a loss you get nothing. This system of OTW is like, “everyone gets a trophy scenario”…. I truly think and points for a tie in regulation should be done away with. IMO….