Rapid Reaction: Islanders Out of Gas, Fail to Muster Much in 2-1 Loss to Flyers

PHILADELPHIA– After taking down the Dallas Stars 4-2 on Saturday, the New York Islanders were defeated 2-1 by the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. The loss snapped the Islanders six-game point streak as they return to Long Island with a 26-25-9 record.

ISLANDERS LINES:

Lee–Nelson–Beavuillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise–Barzal–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Bellows

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Aho–Mayfield

Varlamov

HOW IT HAPPENED

Casey Cizikas gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 12:50 of the first period as his slap shot from the high slot deflected off a Philadelphia Flyer and over the blocker of Carter Hart. Cizikas’s eighth of the season was unassisted.

The Philadelphia Flyers evened up the score at 4:22 of the second period as Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho turned the puck over in front of Islanders net. Travis Konecny picked up the loose puck and dished it to Hayes, who was all alone at the back post. Hayes’ sixth of the season was assisted by Konecny and Joel Farabee.

Kevin Hayes scored his second of the game to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead with 5:05 to play in the second period. While on the power play, Hayes jumped on a loose puck and buried his seventh of the season. Konecny and Farabee were credited with the assists.

Another Game, Another Opening Tally

The New York Islanders continued their run of scoring first as for the sixth time in their last seven games, they were on the board first. Unlike against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, where the opening tally by Ryan Pulock came in the second period, the Islanders were on the board midway through the first period thanks to Casey Cizikas.

CIZIKAS. pic.twitter.com/yIYuPcxLJm

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 20, 2022

With that goal, the Islanders have now scored first in nine of their last 10 games. Unfortunately for them, the Islanders were unable to hold the lead and this one goal was all the offense could muster on Sunday.

Discipline an Issue

The New York Islanders, playing their second game in as many days, looked a bit sluggish as the game went on. That led to a few penalties, one up for debate, but a call is a call.

In the first period, Casey Cizikas was called for a hook which the Islanders killed off with ease. In the second period, Islanders captain Anders Lee was called for high-sticking, again which the Islanders killed off. The Flyers had some good looks, but strong positioning and goaltending helped kill that one off.

Then came the hooking penalty on Kieffer Bellows with under seven minutes to play in the second.

The Islanders survived the majority of the penalty before Kevin Hayes scored his second of the game with about 20 seconds remaining on the minor infraction to give the Flyers the lead.

Early in the third period, the Islanders found themselves back on the penalty kill as Zdeno Chara sat for hooking. The penalty kill unit had a few chances to clear but could not. However, no added damage was done as it was still a one-goal deficit when Chara came out of the box.

Sorokin Gives Islanders a Chance

It’s no surprise that New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin was on top of his game. He’s been red hot as of late, his last start a dominant performance against the New York Rangers in the 2-1 victory this past Thursday.

Sorokin was on his game yet again against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. He faced 37 shots in the contest and had no chance on either of the two goals he allowed.

“Another strong performance like you’ve seen from him over the last month or so,” New York Islanders captain Anders Lee said.  “I mean, he’s seeing the puck, he’s making the plays and you know, he gave us a chance tonight. We couldn’t seem to find the looks we needed.”

GAME NOTES

New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck and defenseman Andy Greene did not play (maintenance). Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun was held out of the lineup due to “asset management”.

Kieffer Bellows played in Clutterbuck’s spot while Sebastian Aho filled in on the third defensive pairing with Scott Mayfield.

The 2022 NHL Trade Deadline is Monday at 3 PM ET.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena.