Flyers Pick Up Valuable Point But Lose to Islanders in OT

The Philadelphia Flyers aimed to halt their four-game losing streak as they faced off against the New York Islanders in a pivotal match at South Philadelphia

With the Philadelphia Flyers now clinging to the second Wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference with only seven games remaining in the regular season, they find themselves with no margin for error.

Jamie Drysdale made his return to the lineup after missing over a month’s worth of games due to a shoulder injury sustained back on February 25th against the Pittsburgh Penguins, courtesy of a crushing hit from Center Jansen Harkins in the neutral zone.

Noah Cates gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead just 4:57 into the first period, seizing a puck battle and firing a wrist shot over the glove of New York’s goaltender, Semyon Varlamov. The goal was unassisted.

At the 12:03 mark of the first period, Matt Martin knotted the game at 1-1 with a wrist shot that deflected off the skate of Eric Johnson and past Philadelphia’s goaltender, Sam Ersson. Kyle MacLean was credited with the assist.

Eighteen seconds later, Bo Horvat capitalized on a chance to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead, maneuvering around Jamie Drysdale to beat Ersson over the blocker. Matt Barzal and Casey Cizikas were credited with assists.

The Islanders earned the game’s first power play as Egor Zamula was called for delay of game. Despite the advantage, they couldn’t convert as the Flyers executed a solid penalty kill.

Ivan Fedotov Debuts

Ivan Fedotov made his NHL debut in relief of Ersson after the first period. Ersson stopped 4 of 6 shots faced but conceded two soft goals.

Travis Sanheim leveled the score at 2-2 just 43 seconds into the second period, going end-to-end and beating Varlamov with a wrist shot. The goal was unassisted.

Cam York’s slashing penalty handed the Islanders their second power play opportunity, but the Flyers’ penalty kill remained stout, keeping the Islanders 0 for 2 with the man advantage.

The Flyers earned their first power play at the 13:28 mark of the second period as Anders Lee was penalized for high-sticking. Despite generating chances, they couldn’t convert.

Lee reclaimed the lead for the Islanders at 3-2 at the 17:54 mark of the second period, redirecting Alexander Romanov’s shot from the blue line past Fedotov’s glove. Romanov received the lone assist.

Brock Nelson’s tripping penalty early in the third period gave the Flyers their second power play opportunity, but they couldn’t beat Varlamov.

Morgan Frost tied the game at 3-3 with just ten seconds left in the third period, deflecting Drysdale’s shot from the blue line and capitalizing on the rebound. Drysdale and Travis Konecny were credited with assists.

In overtime, Nelson capitalized on a turnover by Frost, scoring the game-winner with a wrist shot over Fedotov’s glove. Kyle Palmieri earned the lone assist.

Ersson stopped 4 of 6 shots before being replaced, while Fedotov turned away 19 of 21 shots faced. Varlamov made 30 saves on 33 shots for the Islanders.

Flyers power play  went 0 for 2 and penalty kill went 2 for 2 on the night.

Flyers picked up a valuable point and have moved back into third place in the Metropolitan division.

Goal Summary:

1st Period
Cates (4) Unassisted
Martin (4) Assists: MacLean (4), Reilly (15)
Horvat (30) Assists: Barzal (52), Cizikas (12)

2nd Period
Sanheim (10) Unassisted
Lee (19) Assists: Romanov (11)

3rd Period
Frost (13) Assists: Drysdale (7), Konecny (34)

Overtime
Nelson (30) Assists: Palmieri (20)

Flyers Next Game:

Flyers’ next game is Friday, April 5th, in Buffalo against the Sabres.