Final Thoughts: Flyers @ Islanders 11-11-08
The Flyers played a Veteran’s Day Matinee on Long Island today and came away with a 3-1 win. It is said that the goalie must be the best player on the ice for any team to have sustained success. This is really the case for the Flyers, as the team tries to find it’s identity as they work through a streaky start to their season. They have already seen winning and losing streaks of 3 or more games.
Biron was sharp early, as Flyers got off to a slow start. The Islanders, young and aggressive, are known for their attacking style. The Flyers failed to slow the game down. They, instead, got caught up in the end to end action which yielded too many turnovers and point blank shots on Biron.
The Flyers also continue to take bad penalties. But their penalty killing was outstanding tonight, bailing them out of two Islander 5-3s.
Danny Briere got the Flyers on the board midway through the second when he scored on a shot from the boards. It was his fifth straight game with a goal. I know there is a knock on Briere when it comes to his size and plus/minus stats. But, there are some intangibles that make him so valuable. For one, he makes the power play so dangerous. Also, he has great chemistry with Simone Gagne. It’s no coincidence that Gagne’s torrid start cooled off after Briere was forced out of the lineup with an abdominal injury that required surgery. Also, being paired with Gagne, a superb defensive forward, may help improve that plus/minus stat.
The Flyers were clinging to a 1-0 lead midway through the third, when, on the penalty kill, “The Captain” went to work. Skating on a shorthanded breakout with Simon Gagne. Richards did all of the little things that make a difference. He headed for the net, kept his stick on the ice, and provided the insurance goal his team was so desperately seeking.
 Kimmo Timonen added and empty net goal to set the final score.
Postives:
- Penalty Killing was outstanding. Eight for eight, including a two minute 5 on 3.
- Matt Carle continues to be an impressive acquisition. His active stick and offensive instincts might help cure what ails the Flyers blue liners.
- Marty Biron was outstanding in net. He’s going to need to be that good for the Flyers to be successful this year.
- Joffrey Lupul responded well to being demoted to the fourth line. He found his physical game and was reunited with Mike Richards and Scott Hartnell midway through the game. He also had a great shift at the end of the game, keeping the Islanders pinned in their own end as they were trying to get McDonald off the ice for an extra attacker.
Negatives:
- The Flyers still don’t seem mentally ready at the start of the game.
- They played sloppy for stretches and had too many turnovers.
- They still take bad penalties.
 Overall it was a good win. And a good way to start this three game road trip. Next up is the Penguins. The Flyers had better sure up that turnover problem. The Penguins, and their loaded guns, won’t be as forgiving as the Islanders.
-MT
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