The Flyers just did not look like the same team before the pause until yesterday. They finally received some key scoring from players like Kevin Hayes (Two goals), and Sean Couturier. Even Claude Giroux had a great game on his son’s first birthday, and it appeared he was fired up for Wednesday’s tilt. The same thing needs to happen tonight folks, the same thing, just win.
The Top End Guys Have To Continue Their Resurgence
I’ll say it again they have to continue to receive timely goals from their top end guys, or else this will be a short playoff run. Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux, and Kevin Hayes have four goals combined throughout the playoffs now. There is no way shape or form that the depth and Carter Hart solely can lead the Flyers to an extended playoff run. This is just not possible. James van Riemsdyk and Travis Konecny had better games yesterday, and both were noticeable at times, baby steps folks.
The New York Islanders are too good defensively for the youth and depth to continue their surge each game. At some point the leaders of the team have to step up, and they did Wednesday, “Tonight he (Sean Couturier) made some good plays with the puck. Just prior to our winning goal in overtime, he had a great opportunity. Without a doubt, his effort combined with his play making ability was big part of us getting the win,” Head Coach Alain Vigneault said following the game.
Continue To Push, The Flyers Cannot Relax
The Flyers had a 3-0 lead after one period of play yesterday. They did almost everything right Wednesday in the first period. After Semyon Varlamov got yanked, that appeared to light a fire in the New York Islanders, as they finished the second period trailing the Flyers 3-1.
At times in the third period the Flyers went back to their old ways against the Montreal Canadiens of playing a defensive style game, with the hopes that the lead would hold up in the end. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as Jean-Gabriel Pageau tied the game up at three late in the third period. It appeared that the Flyers were caught puck watching at times, and Carter Hart was doing all he could to hold on the lead. Fortunately, Philippe Myers bailed the Flyers out in overtime to earn the 4-3 victory, which happened to be their first overtime victory since 2012 (Danny Briere scored the game winner against the New Jersey Devils in the Semifinals).
Across the board the Flyers have to take care of the puck. They have to limit their mistakes, as the Islanders have many skilled players that could make you pay in a big way. The Flyers have to control, even with a big lead to earn a victory tonight. They have to continue to push the play in the third period, as the Islanders are too talented of a team to not make a late push.
Match The Isles Physicality
The Islanders only outhit the Flyers 39-31 Wednesday, however at times it appeared to be more than that. Fortunately, the Flyers matched the physicality of the Isles forecheck, and board battle throughout the majority of the game. They had the will and the toughness to match the Islanders intensity, thus allowing the Flyers to dictate the overall play of the game, especially in the first period. Robert Hagg helped in a big way in this particular area of the game as he issued out five big hits on the Isles.
Net Front Presence
One area that has been a major problem for the Flyers throughout the playoffs is establishing a net front presence. Goals are hard to come by in playoff hockey, it becomes very difficult to score against quality Goaltenders like Semyon Varlamov and Carey Price if they can track the puck. The Flyers have to restrict Varlamov’s and Thomas Greiss eye of the puck tonight, or it could be another long day at the office for the orange and black.
Varlamov is coming off an embarrassing game in which he got yanked, so he is looking for redemption tonight. The Islanders play well defensively, so the Flyers have to get gritty, grind, and pay the price to command a net front presence. Score a dirty goals, take out the trash. It’s a lot easier said than done, but in the end that is what it will take to TAKE Control of this series.
The Flyers are 8-0 when they score first, and 0-3 when their opponent scores first in the playoffs. They just have to want it.
