After a few days off for the playoff teams, hockey action resumed today for Round 2 opponents, including a huge win for New York.
Despite an overtime loss to the Flyers in Game 2 on Wednesday, the Islanders fought vigorously to the end when coming back from an early 3-0 deficit to force overtime. With the series tied up 1-1, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz made some changes for Game 3, such as Derek Brassard coming in with Ross Johnston scratched from the lineup.
Semyon Varlamov found himself with a chance to redeem himself after giving up three first-period goals in Game 2 but may have still felt off after allowing a late first-period goal to Tyler Pitlick. But since then, Varlamov found himself back at peak physical form.
Following a tough start to the game, the Islanders started to build up the pressure on the Flyers, outshooting them on goal 15-6 in the second period. With that pressure, Matt Martin scored his third postseason goal as it slipped by the Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, tying the game up seven minutes into the game. With less than 10 seconds left in the second period, Leo Komarov found the pass from Derek Brassard and his shot slipped by Hart as well, giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead at the end of the period.
Following up on their come-from-behind attack in the second period, the Islanders capitalized on a power-play after Robert Hagg was called for slashing on Jean-Gabriel Pageau 2:28 into the third. Over a minute into the power play, Anders Lee goes backhand on his shot attempt and the puck goes off of Hart’s stick and into the net for his sixth goal of the postseason, extending the Islanders lead to 2.
Despite a late penalty committed by Anders Lee for not heading to the bench immediately following his helmet removed from his head and the Flyers emptying their net, the Islanders held on with a great performance from their defense. The Islanders goaltender, Semyon Varlamov, made 28 saves on the 29 shots on goal that came his way, bumping his playoff record to 9-2 in the postseason, while Carter Hart for Philadelphia made 24 saves while facing 27 shots on goal tonight.
The Islanders retake the series lead 2-1 over Philadelphia and will look to extend their lead tomorrow night when Game 4 between the Islanders and Flyers begins at 8 pm.
Zachary Wilson 