Less than 24 hours later, the Flyers have a chance to regain control in their series against the Islanders.
After falling behind in the series on Saturday night, the Flyers and Islanders are right back at it this evening. They will matchup for Game Four in a series that New York currently leads.
The previous game looked promising for the Flyers as they came out ready to go on Saturday night. But as it went on, the Islanders got better and better. They forced turnovers and immediately made Philadelphia pay for them.
They showed off their speed and willingness to get those greasy goals as each one barely made it to the back of the net. But they don’t ask how, they ask how many. And it was three goals for the Islanders to just one for the Flyers. Typically one goal isn’t going to win you a game.
It doesn’t matter if you have Carter Hart in net either. He’s been as strong as he can be throughout this playoff series. The team in front of him needs to figure out how to sustain pressure for more than just one period.
Speaking of Hart, there’s little reason to believe he won’t be in the net this evening. He has been the Flyers best and most consistent player the entire playoffs. The only reason to go to Brian Elliott is to try and spark the team. Even that could backfire, though. Hart has shown no reason to replace him.
We should also see Semyon Varlamov back in the Islanders net. He’s matched Hart save for save, and then some. Well, aside from the three goals on 10 shots he gave up in Game Two. But he has been strong more often than not. There’s nothing indicating that the Islanders will switch up their goaltender either.
What can and probably should be switched up are the Flyers forward lines. The only line that was able to sustain any pressure on Saturday night was the third line. The trio of Tyler Pitclick, James van Reimsdyk, and Scott Laughton were by far the best line of that game. You may have to roll the dice again on them keeping that up.
Otherwise the Flyers may want to throw the other lines in a blender and see what they can come up with. Moving Travis Konecny to the top line could boost his confidence or force him to find a way out of his slump. Make the top players on the team figure things out together.
Regardless, the forwards have to figure something out and fast. Going down in a 3-1 against this Islanders team is not an option. They will bury you quickly if you let that happen. Give them a taste of their own medicine. It’s the only way.