Flyers/Islanders Preview

For the first time since 1987 the Flyers will matchup with the New York Islanders in the 2020 NHL Playoffs.

After a grueling 6 games against the Montreal Canadiens, a series in which I thought about offing myself numerous times, the Flyers have finally advanced to the second round of the playoffs. The first time they’ve done so since 2012.

Things don’t get any easier as the Flyers will face another defensive minded team in the Islanders, a team which went 3-0 against the Flyers this season. Let’s take a look at 3 players who need to standout for the Flyers and 3 players they’ll need to contain in order to advance.

Let’s start off with the Flyers. By now you’ve surely heard about the top scorers being MIA against Montreal. Saying they need to show up against the Islanders is an understatement, but let’s see who specifically needs to get going in order to advance.

• Sean Couturier

The Flyers Selke Trophy nominated number 1 Center will be pivotal in this series, not just defensively but offensively. Couturier finished 2nd on the Flyers in points during the regular season with 59, behind only Travis Konecny.

Through 9 games since the return of play, Coots does not have a single goal to his name. Now you might think he gets somewhat of a pass because he does a swell job locking down the oppositions number 1 guy, but if Couturier is a true star in the NHL he needs to show up on the score sheet when the games matter most.

Am I saying he’s not capable? Absolutely no way in hell am I saying that. We know he’s capable. Remember the hat-trick against the Penguins while playing with a torn MCL? We need THAT Coots back and we need him back NOW if the Flyers are to advance past the Islanders.

• Travis Konecny

Who doesn’t love Travis Konecny? He’s everything we love. He scores, he’s fast, he’s feisty, and he calls people nerds. But where has he been?

TK may have been playing injured during the Montreal series but with no official word out I won’t speculate. I’ll assume he’s healthy. Konecny needs to score goals, flat out.

He lead the Flyers in goal scoring during the season with 24 and lead the Flyers in points. He’s arguably the Flyers most dynamic offensive weapon right now and he absolutely needs to get it going as soon as possible if the Flyers are to win this series.

During the regular season the Flyers only drew 8 penalties against New York so expect a lot of 5v5 which is where Konecny excels the most as 19 of his 24 goals came at even strength.

• Claude Giroux

My third choice almost feels like a cop out. I could’ve chosen Carter Hart, who has been dominant thus far. Or a Kevin Hayes who has shown flashes throughout the tournament. But I’m going with “el capitano”.

I love Claude I really do but this is it. This is his time. He finally has a roster to support him in the playoffs but he needs to be the guy. Giroux is goalless through 9 games thus far and at times has been reluctant to shoot, leading some to question his confidence.

I’m not going to be that guy…yet.

Giroux still has “it”, or at least has enough of “it” to lead this Flyers team over the Isles. He wears the “C” for a reason. I mentioned earlier there may not be many PP chances against the Islanders, but it’ll be vital for the Flyers to take advantage of the ones they do get if they are to advance.

Giroux finished second on the team in PP scoring during the regular season but was unable to get anything going against the Canadiens PK in the first round. Not having to face Shea Weber and Carey Price should make things slightly easier in that aspect but Giroux needs to demonstrate confidence on the ice and play with a “shoot first mentality” as we all know there is nothing quite like a Claude Giroux goal.

Now for containing the Islanders. This has proven to be more difficult than expected. Just ask the Washington Capitals.

• Matt Barzal

The number one and most obvious choice is of course, Matt Barzal. He is far and away the Islanders most offensively talented forward. During the regular season the Flyers were unable to shut him down as he burned the Flyers, scoring twice and registering 3 assists in just 3 games.

I imagine Sean Couturier will be given the task of ensuring Barzal causes as little chaos as possible but it will be difficult. Barzal lead the Islanders in scoring this season with 60 points and is enjoying a nice run of play here in the tournament with 7 points in 9 games, all 5v5.

It’s worth mentioning Barzal also had 7 points in 8 games in last years playoffs so he does not shy away from big games and will be a constant pest the entire series.

• Simeon Varlamov

Yeah that’s right, the goalie. The Islanders gave up a TON of high danger scoring chances during the regular season but had one of the lowest percentages of high danger scoring chance goals against. Leading me to believe there was either a lot of luck involved or Varlamov stood on his head on a nightly basis.

The Flyers on the other hand were at the top of the league in high dangers scoring chances and also at the top on chances converted. If they are to beat the Islanders and Simeon Varlamov, they’ll need to capitalize on even strength high danger scoring opportunities.

• Josh Bailey

The Islanders are such a well balanced team offensively that it was hard for me to select a third choice. I had players like Beauvillier who has been very successful in the dirty areas of the ice. Ryan Pulock was another player who comes to mind with his bomb of a shot, as shown with his 2 goals against the Flyers this season.

Bailey has been on fire since returning to play and has racked up 10 points in 9 games, including 5 PP assists and a SH goal. If the Flyers can find a way to cool him off and stifle the Islanders PP, forcing them to win 5v5, it should make things a lot tougher for New York to win 4 games. Does Josh Bailey scare me? No. But it’ll be important to keep an eye on the 30 year old RW for the Isles.

With game 1 set to take place Monday night, ladies and gentleman, hang onto your butts. We’re in for a helluva series. Flyers in 7.

Follow me on Twitter @JimIkeHW

Photo Credit: NHL.com