Rapid Recap: Gritty Defense Leads to 2-1 Victory Over Flyers

ELMONT, NY– The New York Islanders placed their usual brand of shutdown hockey for the first time this preseason, as they beat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on UBS Arena ice. After trailing by a goal, the Islanders awoke halfway through the second period and took control of the game with two unanswered goals before locking down the lead.

Here’s your Rapid Recap:

GAME LINES:

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier
Parise-Barzal-Palmieri
Soshnikov-Pageau-Bailey
Holmstrom-Räty-Wahlstrom

Romanov-Dobson
Salo-Mayfield
Wotherspoon-Hutton

Varlamov
Skarek

SPECIAL TEAM LINES:

PP1: Lee-Nelson-Barzal, Dobson-Palmieri

PP2: Parise-Pageau-Beauvillier, Salo-Bailey

PK1: Parise-Pageau, Romanov-Mayfield

PK2: Nelson-Beauvillier, Salo-Dobson

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Period 1: 

There were no goals scored in the first period.

Period 2: 

Tony DeAngelo gave the Philadelphia Flyers a 1-0 lead on a five-on-three power play at 3:26 of the second period as his shot from the slot beat New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov under the glove-side arm. Morgan Frost and Tyson Foerster were credited with the assists on the opening tally.

Kyle Palmieri knotted the score at one with his power-play goal at 10:15 of the second period. Following a Brock Nelson missed shot, Palmieri picked up the puck off the end boards and beat a diving goaltender in Samuel Ersson. Nelson and Mathew Barzal were credited with the assists at 10:15 of the second period.

Scott Mayfield gave the New York Islanders a 2-1 lead at 15:18 of the second period as his seeing-eye shot beat Ersson low blocker side through a few bodies. Alexander Romanov was credited with the lone assist.

TAKEAWAYS:

The New York Islanders awoke halfway though the second period after a slow start. The power play looked much better on their second chance of the night, as the puck moved around the offensive zone quickly and crisply, which led to the Islanders first goal.

Since the last preseason game against the New Jersey Devils, head coach Lane Lambert has worked on the power play in each practice and it showed.

After a tough start to the preseason for Semyon Varlamov, back against the New York Rangers on Monday, Sept. 26 (16 S on 20 SOG), the veteran was much better in his second preseason start. He stopped 16 of 17 shots that came his way in 39:58 minutes.

The goal he allowed to Tony DeAngelo he certainly would like back, but it did come on a 5-on-3 power play. His positioning was strong, and for the most part, his rebounds were controlled accordingly, and he came up with a strong save late in the second period to keep the Islanders ahead.

The Islanders, who entered the third period with the lead, held it down in good New York Islanders fashion. They allowed just five shots through most of the third period, before allowing a couple late with the Flyers net empty.

Noah Dobson made a strong diving play to block a slot shot with two seconds remaining in the contest.

“You’re never going to be perfect, but defensively our structure in our zone was much better tonight,” head coach Lane Lambert shared postgame.

Up Next: The New York Islanders will host the Philadelphia Flyers at UBS Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 4 for game four of the preseason. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM.