This is another one of those games where only the result matters, and not the method it was achieved. The Islanders came into this game with nothing to play for except a job next season. It sure didn’t look like it for the first half of the game. Once again, the Flyers napped against a significantly weaker opponent, and it nearly came back to bite them. Once again, Leighton gave up a few shots that a real pro would not have.
First, a shot comes through a partial screen and he makes the save. Except as usual, he’s completely unaware of where the puck went after it hit him. It trickled slowly through his legs, where an unmarked John Tavares easily swept it into the net. If you look at his stats against the Flyers this season, they look good. However if you see the goals, he doesn’t deserve any credit. I haven’t seen any of his games against other opponents, but there has to be more to the 1st overall pick than just garbage goals and feasting on others’ work.
The second goal was a sweet wrister by Okposo, but one that should have been saved. A poor transition attempt by the Flyers lead to a counterattack the other way. Okposo got a pass near the blue line, went to the wide right, and let loose an hard shot. Leighton saw it all the way, had no screen, and was ready the entire time. He simply got beat, glove side no less. This has to irk a goalie that likes to show off a bit every time he makes a glove save. After this he did manage to hold it together, and there were plenty of good saves he did make. Still, when I contrast it to the types of goals that the Flyers have to score on other goalies, it worries me. None of the goals that Roloson gave up where his fault.
The comeback started less than two minutes after the Isles took a 2-0 lead. Timonen, set up on the left point, whipped a puck around the near boards to Briere, who was stationed behind the net. From there, he settled it, took a step back towards the left corner, and sent a quick pass to Carter. Carts one-timed it over the goalie to slash the lead in half. This turn of events was right near the middle of the game, and from here on out the Flyers dominated.
In the third period, while on the powerplay, Richards carried the puck along the left boards from his own blue line into the offensive zone. Meanwhile, Giroux found a seam down the middle, and went hard to the net untouched. Richards passed it to the middle, where Giroux got the puck, reversed direction from where Roloson was sliding, and backhanded it in. This was definitely one to blame on the D, for not picking up a guy flying down the middle of the ice.
Five and a half minutes later, while on another powerplay, Giroux set up the winning goal. A clearing attempt was batted into the air by Carle, where Giroux leaped, caught the puck bare handed, and dropped it to his stick. He swerved to the middle, and sent a diagonal pass to Gagne, who was stationed to the right of the net. Gags tried to center it quickly to Richards, but a defenders stick got in the way and deflected the puck in. Once again, nothing the goalie could do on that one. I’m not saying I want Roloson, I’m saying I want almost anyone over Leighton.
Regardless, Flyers get the 3-2 win, and the much needed two points. The schedule gets a lot tougher from here, as they face teams that don’t sit on the bottom of the standings.
Notes
- Kyle Okposo looked really good out there. He was letting his shot fly, and skating very well. It’s just another sad story of a good player trapped on a bad team. Maybe a few more years in the basement, and the Isles will follow the Penguins strategy for success. I have a feeling that with their next lottery pick thet get some defensive help.
- Carter, Richards and Gagne remain hot as the season wears down. Other guys are pitching in, and this team still has a lot of potential. On paper, they match up with almost anyone. They still have plenty of room to improve the actual on ice product.
- A lot has been said recently (actually most of the season) about Hartnell’s lack of production. First of all, I think last years 30 goal season was a fluke. He’s a high teens, low 20’s scorer in my mind. He’s not a guy that’s very creative, but more of an opportunistic scorer. We need him to play physical and to get hungrier around the net. He’s still an asset, but I think the Flyers overvalue him a bit. Although Lupul is a different style of player, I have similar thoughts on his scoring ability. I wouldn’t mind seeing Hartnell replaced by someone with better playmaking ability.
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