A few observations from the Flyers’ loss to the Islanders
The overtime defeat wasn't all bad, as the Flyers rebounded from Saturday's awful performance.
Observations from the Flyers’ 2-1 overtime loss to the Islanders on Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
See what happens when you play defense?
The Flyers had given up at least three goals in a staggering 11 consecutive games. They gave up just two on Monday, including the game-winner in overtime, when Joel Farabee crossed up Shayne Gostisbehere with a pass that led to a turnover. Phil Myers was the Flyers’ best defenseman.
They outshot the Islanders, 37-19, so coming away with just one point is a disappointment. But it was definitely a step forward from Saturday’s 6-1 loss to New York.
“We don’t like the result,” said Brian Elliott, the losing goaltender, “but it’s a good building block for how we need to play on a nightly basis.”
» READ MORE: Flyers' loss to Islanders can be pinned on one man: goalie Ilya Sorokin
Coots, there he is
Sean Couturier played 18 minutes, 57 seconds in his first game since missing Saturday’s contest with a hip injury. Couturier had three shots on goal and three other attempts blocked. He wasn’t 100%, however, as evidenced by how he led a 3-on-1 break in the second period and the Flyers didn’t even get a shot on goal.
“I felt all right,” he said afterward. “A little off with the puck, but otherwise I felt all right.”
Couturier took 13 faceoffs, and won 12 of them.
» READ MORE: Yong Kim's best photos from Flyers-Islanders game
Stray shots
The Flyers went 0-for-2 on the power play, including squandering a golden opportunity at the end of regulation. They are 1-for-13 against the Islanders this year with the man advantage.
The Flyers couldn’t capitalize on any of their odd-man rushes, a couple coming at the end of shifts.
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin was making his second consecutive start for the first time all season. He stopped 59 of the Flyers’ 61 shots on goal over the last two games against the Flyers, improving his save percentage for the season from .910 to .922.
The final word
Coach Barry Trotz was asked whether his goalie had stolen two points for the Islanders. “It would be armed robbery,” he quipped. “I’ll put it [like] that.”