Rapid Recap: Islanders Edge Past Flyers, Take Two in Savage Shootout

After a nine-round shootout, the longest in the NHL this season, New York Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom beat Philadelphia Flyers netminder Carter Hart high glove side to give the Islanders the win.

Defenseman Robin Salo got the New York Islanders on the board just over two minutes into the contest. Islanders forward Mat Barzal drew three Flyers to him before he fed Salo at the top of the left circle. Salo then beat Hart over the glove. Salo’s first of the season at 2:08 was assisted by Barzal and Zach Parise.

The Philadelphia Flyers tied the contest at one as James Van Riemsdyk scored on the power play. A Cam York point shot took a bounce off the end wall behind New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov before the puck come back through his crease. Van Riemsdyk got just enough of the puck as it squeaked through Varlamov’s legs and in. York and Claude Giroux were credited with the assists at 14:39 of the first period.

The Islanders retook the lead as Josh Bailey scored at 13:28 of the second period. Defenseman Adam Pelech pinched inside Flyers blue line and fed Anthony Beauvillier in the corner. Beauvillier made a quick pass to Josh Bailey in the slot, who kicked the puck from his stick to his skate before he beat Flyers netminder Carter Hart down low. Pelech and Beauvillier were credited with the assists on Bailey’s third of the season.

26 seconds later, Varlamov misplayed a pass to Robin Salo behind his goal line. The puck made its way to the low slot as Travis Konecny came flying in to score on the semi-vacant frame. Oskar Lindblom and Scott Laughton were credited with the assists at 13:54 of the second period.

The Flyers took a 3-2 lead as Claude Giroux beat Varlamov high glove-side for his 12th of the season at 4:05 of the third period. Giroux sped past Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara and made no mistake on the semi-breakaway. Cam Atkinson was credited with the assist.

Casey Cizikas tied the contest at three with under five minutes to play for his second in as many nights. Scott Mayfield, after a strong play in his own zone, joined the rush before he fed Cizikas who had crashed the net. Cizikas’s second of the season was assisted by Mayfield and Cal Clutterbuck at 15:32 of the third period.

Cizikas and Wahlstrom Key in Comeback

The New York Islanders did not play a well-rounded game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. But despite the lackluster play, Casey Cizikas came through for the second consecutive night to tie the game late in the third.

crash the net and good things happen!

Cizikas ties it up at 3! pic.twitter.com/4u1V0aiNhg

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 19, 2022

After what was a wild overtime and a hectic shootout, Oliver Wahlstrom patiently waited for his number to be called. After eight rounds, Wahlstrom had an opportunity to win it for the Islanders in the shootout and pick up two critical points for his hockey team.

He did just that, as he showed off his lethal shot.

LUCKY ROUND NUMBER NINE. pic.twitter.com/yK3cdi1MER

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 19, 2022

Discipline Issues Continue

The New York Islanders were back in the penalty box often for the second straight night. After the Islanders killed off all four power-play chances against on Monday, the penalty kill unit could not remain perfect on Tuesday.

The Islanders were able to kill off two of the three penalties they took. But the one power-play goal against allowed the Flyers to tie the contest at 1 in the first period.

Reemer reels in a PPG and evens things up with the Isles. #NYIvsPHI | #BringItToBroad pic.twitter.com/cQZPbKqiaL

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 19, 2022

The amount of pressure on the penalty kill still remains an issue and the penalty kill cannot be relied upon to the extent that they have been on a nightly basis.

Salo Scores First NHL Goal

After appearing to have his first NHL goal on Monday, a deflection by Casey Cizikas turned Robin Salo’s first goal into a primary assist.

But on Tuesday, Salo got his first career NHL goal, as he made sure that there would be no question on whose goal it was.

SALO SLAPPER. pic.twitter.com/DjfpffHepA

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 19, 2022

Robin Salo now has points in back-to-back games for the first time in his short NHL career.

With Ryan Pulock out longer than expected Salo has made the most of his opportunities as of late.

Game Notes: 

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz made the switch to Semyon Varlamov in goal Tuesday, after Ilya Sorokin got the nod on Monday. Zach Parise and Kieffer Bellows were swapped in the lineup as the veteran played alongside Mat Barzal, while the youngster played with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Oliver Wahlstrom.

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that center Kevin Hayes would miss three to four weeks after surgery to drain fluid from his adductor area.

Up Next: The New York Islanders will host the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, Jan. 22 at  UBS Arena.

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