Rick Tocchet’s Philadelphia Flyers (38-26-12) collected a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders in a must-win game at UBS Arena on Friday evening. The Flyers finished their season series against the Islanders with a 3-1-0 record. Philadelphia has won nine of its last 10 games, and are 14-6-2 overall in their last 22 games.
A three-point game (one goal, two assists) from Matvei Michkov led the way offensively. Michkov notched his 17th goal of the season. Philly also got tallies from Owen Tippett (28th, tying his career high), Alex Bump (4th) and Travis Sanheim (10th). Jean-Gabriel Pageau (16th) tallied the lone Islanders goal.
In net, Dan Vladar (20 saves on 21 shots) had a strong bounceback game after subpar outings in two of his three previous starts. Vladar markedly outplayed Ilya Sorokin (17 saves on 21 shots), who normally gives the Flyers fits.
The Good
- The Flyers completely dominated the first period and took a 2-0 lead to intermission. New York made the expected pushback in the second period but Philly took a 3-1 edge to the third period. In the final 20 minutes, Philly played a smart, disciplined closeout. They added another insurance goal ahead of the Islanders pulling Sorokin.
- Philadelphia was smarter with the puck in dangerous areas. Likewise they more vigilant in their defensive tracking than on Thursday. Meanwhile, especially over the first 20 minutes, the Flyers maintained the forechecking pressure and territorial control they had against Detroit.
- The Flyers made life miserable for Detroit in trying to navigate the neutral zone in the first period. The Wings couldn’t carry in. They also couldn’t chip it in with pursuit.
- Philly blocked 21 shots yet allowed Vladar to see most of the shots that got through.
- Vladar was sharp, as he needed to be.
- After a so-so game in Washington and an outright subbar night (along with his linemates) on Thursday, Michkov stepped up big in a crucial game.
- As they’ve done most of the time late, the top defensive pairing of Travis Sanheim (24:15, +3, one goal, nice assist on Tippett’s goal, two blocks, three shots on goal) and Rasmus Ristolainen (21:41, +3, two takeaways, one big hit, four blocks) was outstanding.
- Bump answered the bell after sitting out three games as a healthy scratch.
- Tyson Foerster made a goal-saving backchecking play to prevent a potential shorthanded goal in the first period. Had that been a goal for the Isles, the entire complexion of the game may have changed.
The Bad
- Things got a little dicey in the latter part of the second period and the early portion of the third period. Philly came through it well, however.
- Michkov’s one blemish on the night: a needless interference penalty at an inopportune time.
- Not a “bad” thing considering special teams play in Washington and against the Red Wings. However, the Flyers didn’t do much with either of their two first period power plays. Conversely, Philly’s penalty kill (3-for-3) had a stabilizing game. Overall, it was a wash. That was fine on this night. Nevertheless, the Flyers will need to win the special teams battle in some of their upcoming game.
The ugly
- Trevor Zegras got banged up on a first period hit by Adam Pelech. He returned by the second period. However, he was spotted sparingly over the rest of the game. Zegras played only 10:42 across 15 shifts.
- Tough Night on faceoffs: 23-for-58, 40 percent.
- The decision to scratch Emil Andrae for Noah Juulsen did not pay a dividend. Juulsen struggled considerably across his sparing 10:42 of ice time: two giveaways, underwater in puck possession, minus-one .
Postgame media availability: Travis Sanheim
Flyers playoff outlook
The win over the Islanders had vital implications for the Flyers’ playoff hopes. They desperately needed this one after back-to-back regulation losses.
Factoring their tiebreaker disadvantages relative to all other teams in the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference wildcard playoff race, the Flyers (88 points, 24 regulation wins) are two points behind the Islanders (89 points, 28 RW), and one point from overtaking the Columbus Blue Jackets (88 points but 27 RW). for third in the Metro.
If Philly cannot move up into third in the Metro, they trail the Ottawa Senators (88 points, 33 RW) , Detroit Red Wings (88 points, 29 RW) and Columbus via tiebreakers in the wildcard race.
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