The Flyers (5-2-1) are set to take on the New York Islanders (3-4-0) on Saturday night at 7 pm at the Wells Fargo Center in the first of a weekend back to back.
Storyline to Watch: Time for Vengeance
The Flyers were eliminated from the playoffs last season at the hands of the New York Islanders in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the Toronto bubble. Despite rallying from a 3-1 series deficit, the Flyers fell short with a lackluster effort in a 4-0 loss in Game 7.
Flyers fans’ bitterness towards the Pittsburgh Penguins and other division teams frequently supersedes their hostility towards the Islanders, but the Islanders have undoubtedly had their number recently. They were also swept in three regular season meetings against the Islanders last season, the last of which was a heartbreaking loss in February at Barclays Center (Yes, there is hockey there). The Flyers rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the final minutes only to let the comeback effort go to waste by allowing two quick New York goals in a 5-3 loss.
The Islanders don’t boast a roster full of household names, but head coach Barry Trotz and General Manager Lou Lamoriello have implemented a physically stifling defensive style that has yielded three playoff series wins in their first two seasons with the Islanders.
Where They Stand
The Flyers are coming off consecutive road wins against the New Jersey Devils to improve to 5-2-1 on the season. They have been carried by good goaltending from Carter Hart and Brian Elliott and an NHL best 15 goals in the 3rd period, but head coach Alain Vigneault has not been shy about the fact that his top lines are leaving a lot to be desired.
AV is clearly disappointed with several players. Says he loved play from Laughton and Bunnaman, did not like the Hayes and Patrick lines.
— Broad Street Buzz (@BroadStreetBuzz) January 29, 2021
"It's the players job to be ready."
The Flyers hope to get an important boost to their lineup, as defenseman Philippe Myers could possibly return this weekend after missing the last 4 games with a fractured rib. Myers’ status is not yet determined, and veteran defenseman Nate Prosser is expected to play if Myers cannot suit up. Although injured center Sean Couturier skated with the team this week, there is still no determined return date for the reigning Selke Award winner.
The Islanders sit at 3-4 on the season. Goalie Semyon Varlamov got off to a red hot start with a .988 save percentage and 2 shutouts in his first 4 games. Varlamov came back down to Earth and allowed 5 goals on 22 shots in New York’s 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, a game in which the Islanders led 3-0.
Players to Watch
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov has manned the blue line like a top-tier NHL defenseman early this season. Averaging just under 26 minutes of ice time per game, Provorov is unlocking his potential as the rock that the shaky defensive unit needs.
Provorov’s presence loomed large in the playoff series against the Islanders last season. Two of the three Flyers overtime game-winners came off Provorov blasts from the point, the first resulting in a Scott Laughton deflection and the second resulting in Provorov’s first career playoff overtime winner.
For the Islanders, Mat Barzal is off to a good start with 7 points in 7 games after signing a contract extension less than a week before the season started. Barzal’s impressive finesse and puck control became a nightmare for the Flyers in the playoffs last season.
The Flyers will also have to look out for Brock Nelson, all 6’4 and 212 lbs. of him. Nelson finished with 4 goals and 3 assists in last season’s playoff series against the Flyers and scored 9 total goals in the playoffs.
Remember to check out the Broad Street Buzz Twitter feed (@BroadStreetBuzz) during tonight’s game for live updates and Flyers chatter.