First period
Well, before the release of the record, this was already a less than ideal situation for Flyers. Sean Couturier had a late scratch due to an injury to his lower body, which, in my professional opinion, is not a good thing.
Even without losing their best center, they really got off to a solid start in this game. Nothing so impressive, but they defended themselves against what we know to be a tough team from the islanders. Then Travis Konecny had a miserable turn, turning the puck in what should have been a clean-cut exit, and then taking a penalty on the other end of the line. This led to a bit of luck on the record for the Islanders, resulting in a goal by Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Less than two minutes later and it’s 2-0 Islanders. Ache.
Look, this time they went two minutes without allowing a goal, 3-0 Islanders. What is still life?
Believe me, I tried to find something to write about between the third and fourth goals, there is nothing there, guys, nothing at all.
So, to really drive the stake through the heart, of all the people who dropped their gloves and tried to keep their team going, it’s Oskar Lindblom. The 24-year-old cancer survivor has to drop his gloves to wake up the team. Bless this boy.
Fortunately, the team woke up a little after the fight, and Joel Farabee apparently the only one who knows what to do in a 2-on-1 on this team, cut one from Sorokin to make it 4-1 Islanders as we head for the second time course.
Second period
So much for the whole, “maybe the fight will wake up the team” am I right?
Carter Hart made great saves in this period to keep the game played, but man, this is the most insignificant offensive period possible. The Islanders are a great defensive team, but at a certain point they just have to overcome that. Make your own luck, make their lives hell for them any way you can, DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING.
Erik Gustafsson (who should have been fully in the lineup against Shayne Gostisbehere) scored a penalty and they really did have some decent chances in the power game. But because it is this Flyers team, it came to nothing. Farabee and van Riemsdyk did very well, and even Nolan Patrick had good luck in a diversion attempt, but it was not enough.
Still 4-1 going into the final 20 minutes.
Third period
The Islanders scored two more goals because this team has no idea how to play defense or hockey.
6-1 Islanders overcome, I repeat, pain.