Joel Farabee scored all 3 regulation goals for the Flyers en route to back to back overtime victories against the New York Islanders.
The Flyers scored first with just 1:18 left in the 1st period as James Van Riemsdyk intercepted an Islander pass, deflecting the puck towards Farabee who jumped on the loose puck near the slot, spun around and snapped a wrist shot passed Islanders rookie goaltender, Ilya Sorokin.
The lead wouldn’t last for long as the Islanders were gifted a Power Play to start the 2nd and defenseman Nick Leddy capitalized with a shot from the point just 38 seconds into the period. The score would remain tied for just about 2 minutes as Farabee would strike again for the Flyers with a laser of a shot from the left face-off dot, this time to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead. I feel it’s worth noting that Van Riemsdyk added another primary assist as he drew the defense toward him and found Farabee wide open.
With 4:08 remaining in the 2nd period Van Riemsdyk would once again find a Flyer in a wide open shooting position as Phil Myers let one rip from inside the blue line. Replays showed the puck deflecting off Farabee, which gave him his 3rd goal of the game and his 1st career hat trick in the NHL.
The Islanders would once again score early in a period with Josh Bailey redirecting a shot from distance just over a minute into the frame to bring the Flyers lead to 3-2. Just about 6 minutes later in the 3rd, Robert Hägg sent a shot wide which lead to a rush back towards the Flyers goal. Both Braun and Voracek chose to chase the Islanders player with the puck and Claude Giroux coasted back on defense, leaving an opportunistic Matt Barzal wide open to tie the game at 3-3.
Once again the Flyers and Islanders would go to OT with the Flyers winning the night before. Tonight would feature the same fate for the Islanders.
Scott Laughton drew a penalty late in the OT period, sending the Flyers on the Power Play and with 37.3 seconds left Claude Giroux found Kevin Hayes in a wide open shooting position to send everyone home, helping the Flyers earn a 7-2-1 record to start the season.
A ridiculous backhand from G to Hayesy led to last night's GWG over the Isles. #AnytimeAnywhere | #NYIvsPHI pic.twitter.com/WUTBY9oOYg
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 1, 2021
With 15 points through 10 games, the Flyers are tied for 1st in the division with the 6-0-3, Washington Capitals, who they’ll face twice later on this week.
Next up for the Flyers are the Boston Bruins. Not only should the Flyers be looking to find their mojo, but revenge should be on their minds as they were utterly embarrassed by the Bruins last week.
The Flyers still don’t look right but 7 wins through 10 games is tough to complain about.
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