The Flyers just have not looked like the same team before the pause. They just haven’t played their best game yet in these playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens, and the New York Islanders in particular. The orange and black are currently trailing in the series against the Islanders 1-0, and this sets up a pivotal Game 2, and it’s as close to a must win as you could get. If a team in the NHL goes up 2-0 that team goes on to win the series 87.2% of the time. Without further delay here are some keys to a Flyers victory today.
The Top End Guys Have To Get It Going
I’ll say it again they have to get it going or else this will be a short playoff run. Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux, Travis Konecny, James van Riemsdyk, and Kevin Hayes have one goal combined throughout the playoffs, one measly goal. This just isn’t good enough. 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.
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, “The top players have got to play better. I’m obviously one of them. We’ve got to get going here” Claude Giroux said following the loss on Monday night.
Puck Possession
The Islanders were hemmed in the Flyers zone for a greater portion in the first period of play on Monday. The Flyers did not forecheck well, lost the board battles, made uncharacteristic turnovers that lead to more zone time for the Islanders, and they lacked physicality that period to withstand the pressure from the Islanders. If it wasn’t for Carter Hart the score could have been 4-0 at least at the end of one.
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 the play today to earn a victory.
Match The Isles Physicality
The Islanders only outhit the Flyers 34-29, but it appeared to be more than that. Unfortunately, the game was lost in the first period for the Flyers, as they were outmuscled in a big way on Monday night. The Flyers lacked the physicality to forecheck, and board battle. They just did not have the toughness to match the Islanders intensity, thus allowing the Islanders to dictate the overall play of the game, with the exception for the second period.
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 eye of the puck today, or it could be another long day at the office for the orange and black.
Varlamov is coming off consecutive shutouts, and the Islanders play well defensively. The Flyers have to get gritty, grind, and pay the price to command a net front presence. Score a dirty goal for once. Is this easy? No, by all means it’s a lot easier said than done, but in the end that is what it will take to even up this series.
The Flyers are 7-0 when they score first, and 0-3 when their opponent scores first in the playoffs. They just have to want it. Talking is easy, now it’s time to back up the talk.
