Due to the Flyers' disastrous March performance (6-10-1, 4.41 team GAA) ruining their 11-4-3 record entering the month, the team entered April with very little margin for error in the playoff chase in the East Division. Unfortunately, while club's overall performance in the four April games to date has been a significant improvement, the Flyers' 1-1-2 record through four games is simply not good enough regardless of the process finally showing signs of coming around at five-on-five.
Bottom line: The team has lost further ground this week, not gained.
On Thursday, the Flyers lost a 3-2 shootout decision to the New York Islanders. The shootout went four scoreless rounds -- with the game on the sticks of Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny in the third and fourth rounds -- before Brock Nelson notched the lone goal.
The Flyers, after falling into a early 2-0 hole, were the better team for the majority of regulation. The penalty kill, a sore spot all season and especially of late, was strong on this night including a five-minute first period kill of a (questionable) Samuel Morin boarding major that looked more like a minor. That kill was a turning point in the game. In overtime, the Flyers did a good job on a 4-on-3 PK for the final 1:58.
In the first period, Brock Nelson (15th goal of the season) and Jordan Eberle (14th) built a quick 2-0 lead for the Islanders. A fluke goal by Nicolas Aube-Kubel (3rd) narrowed the gap to one goal. Jakub Voracek (7th) scored on a 2-on-1 early in the second period to tie the game at 2-2. A tight-checking third period was scoreless for both teams. After a scoreless overtime and four scoreless shootout rounds, Brock Nelson scored the winning goal.
Carter Hart stopped 19 of 21 shots in regulation. In OT, he made two more saves, including a Mathew Barzal power play one-timer. He went 4-for-5 in the shootout. Ilya Sorokin denied 23 of 25 shots in regulation. He made two additional stops in overtime.
Robert Hägg (22:03 TOI, three blocked shots, two hits, three shots on goal, several defensive zone kills) was activated for injured reserve earlier in the day, playing his first game since March 17. He replaced Philippe Myers in the Flyers' starting lineup. For New York, the just-acquired Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac made their Islanders debuts.
For analysis and highlights from the game, see the
Postgame 5 on the Flyers' official website.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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