Snap Shots: Islanders vs. Flyers 1/20/14

Jan 20, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn (5) and New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo (21) fight during the first period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Snap Shots, our condensed post-game recap of the New York Islanders latest NHL matchup

New York Islanders (19-24-7, 45pts) @ Philadelphia Flyers (25-19-5, 55pts)

Nassau Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum

1:00 PM

Islanders (4), Flyers (3)  (SO)

Starting Lineup

26 Thomas Vanek – 91 John Tavares –21 Kyle Okposo
12 Josh Bailey – 51 Frans Nielsen – 15 Cal Clutterbuck
40 Michael Grabner– 29 Brock Nelson – 13 Colin McDonald
36 Eric Boulton – 53 Casey Cizikas– 17 Matt Martin

37 Brian Strait – 47 Andrew MacDonald
44 Calvin de Haan – 14 Thomas Hickey
46 Matt Donovan – 7 Matt Carkner

45 Anders Nilsson

Notable Scratches: Evgeni Nabokov (IR), Travis Hamonic (Upper Body)

Game Summary

Period One: The first period of play got off to a quick start, as both teams had flurries of scoring chances. There were several odd man rushes and a Michael Grabner breakaway in the opening frame, but nothing was able to find its way past goaltender Anders Nilsson and Flyers goaltender Ray Emery. The first period was about as exciting as hockey can get, yet no goals were scored in the opening 20 minutes of the game, leaving momentum up for grabs.

Period Two: The Flyers seized the momentum in no time at all, as Matt Read scored the game’s first goal on a short-handed opportunity just over a minute into the period. The Flyers dominated the first two minutes of play, and they were a man short for a good portion of that time. Play was rather streaky for both teams until about halfway through the period, until Scott Hartnell got called for a two-minute tripping call, putting the Islanders on the power play. Long Island’s hockey team didn’t waste any time, as John Tavares scored his 23rd goal of the season, tying the game at 1. However, that would be all the Islanders were able to produce that period, and Philadelphia added to unanswered goals before the middle frame ended, giving the Flyers a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the third and (usually) final period.

Period Three: The Islanders new that this game was an important one, and that they had to come out shooting the puck to get themselves get back into the game. They failed to do it in the first five-plus minutes of the third, but were given the grace of a power play with 13:50 remaining in the period. The Islanders failed to convert on the man advantage, but with Adam Hall just leaving the box, Brock Nelson scored his 8th goal of the season, cutting the Flyers lead in half with over half a period left to tie the game. The Isles dominated play from this moment to the final buzzer that ended the period, and the scoreboard showed such, as Kyle Okposo tied the game at 3 with his 20th goal of the season.

Overtime: The overtime period, like always, was one that came with massive heart attacks, but neither team was able to pick up their second point of the game. The Flyers had the golden opportunity of a lifetime, with Anders Nilsson out of the net, and the puck on Wayne Simmonds’ stick. However, Andrew MacDonald got on his knees and made the game-saving block with an open net behind him. That was as close as any team would get in overtime, and the game went on to the shootout portion.

Shootout: John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, and Frans Nielsen each scored a goal apiece en route to a 4-3 shootout victory against the Philadelphia Flyers!

Box Score

2

1:26

9:26

11:30

18:16

3

8:16

17:02

OT

None

Shootout

Penalty Summary

1

5:54

5:54

5:54

12:03

12:03

12:03

18:50

2

1:09

7:55

12:24

3

3:15

3:15

3:50

6:10

15:54

 Turning Point

Kyle Okposo’s game-tying goal 17:02 into the third period.

What’s Ahead

The Islanders take on their crosstown rivals, the New York Rangers, tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden, in what’s sure to be a great game.