BOX SCORE FROM ALLENTOWN | BOX SCORE FROM BROOKLYN
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - It would have been more appropriate if the PPL Center would have just dropped the "L" from its name in a penalty-filled contest Wednesday, as the Flyers' power play proved to be a little bit better than the Islanders' in a 3-2 overtime, split-squad preseason victory.
Shayne Gostisbehere ripped home a one-timer from Nolan Patrick on a 2-on-1 just 53 seconds into the overtime period. The Islanders pulled goaltender Christopher Gibson in the final 1:30 of regulation, resulting in a game-tying 6-on-5 goal as the extra attacker Anders Lee poked one across with 24 seconds remaining.
• The two teams combined for 11 power-play opportunities as the first three goals were scored with the man advantage. Playing in familiar surroundings, Taylor Leier provided the damage for the Flyers as he scored the team's first two goals - both in the second period, as he played with a relentless forecheck for much of the night (see story).
• Michal Neuvirth backstopped the Flyers for the first 40 minutes and turned in a very solid preseason debut as he proceeded to stop 16 of the 17 shots he faced. The lone goal Neuvirth surrendered came on Mathew Barzal's wide-open power-play one-timer. It was Barzal's second goal against the Flyers this preseason. The 16th overall selection in the 2015 draft, Barzal came through last Sunday with the Islanders' game-tying goal by catching Travis Sanheim flat-footed in the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
• As he did in Long Island, Leland Irving took over in net in the third period but didn't have to concern himself with the lethal John Tavares, who scored the game-winner Sunday. Irving had a relatively quiet night until the final two minutes of regulation.
Philadelphia Flyers
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers and their rivals in the NHL from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
• The Flyers crawled out of the gates offensively. It took them 12:30 into the first period to record their first shot on net, which came during their second power-play opportunity. They followed that up with another slow start in the second period in which they failed to register a shot over the first 6:30.
• An impressive element to Oskar Lindblom's game has been his ability to backcheck and his commitment to defense in his own end. With a reputation as a two-way player in the Swedish Hockey League, Lindblom made two solid defensive plays in the first period, and his pursuit and retrieval of the puck led to one of Leier's second-period goals.
• One infraction the referees have been really cracking down on during the preseason is Rule 76.4, as the league attempts to curb cheating on faceoffs. Islanders forward Josh Ho-Sang was nailed twice in this game, resulting in a pair of Flyers power plays.
• Defenseman Sam Morin showed a degree of discipline and maturity that perhaps wasn't present during the start of his professional career. Morin refused to engage with Islanders winger Ross Johnston, who dropped his gloves with Morin backed up against the glass. Johnston was whistled for roughing, giving the Flyers a power play.
• More disruptive than Morin's fists has been his stick. While killing a Sanheim crosschecking minor, Morin utilized his 6-foot-6 frame and his extra long stick to disrupt a pass three different times on one shift. If Morin can maintain poise and stay in position, he can be a real force on the penalty kill.
• The NHL is also looking to eliminate slashing penalties. The Flyers were whistled for three slashing calls in the first 10 minutes. As a result, Barzal easily converted a 5-on-3 one-timer for the game's first goal.
• Solid and steady would be the description so far for Flyers 2013 second-round pick Robert Hagg in his quest to make the opening night roster. Hagg hasn't been rattled and has shown in two preseason games to make the right plays in his own zone.
Lines and pairings
Dale Weise-Jori Lehtera-Matt Read
Oskar Lindblom-Nolan Patrick-Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Taylor Leier-Corban Knight-Pascal Laberge
Carsen Twarynski-German Rubtsov-Colin McDonald
Sam Morin-Mark Alt
Shayne Gostisbehere-Robert Hagg
Brandon Manning-Travis Sanheim
The other game
Despite goals from Travis Konecny and T.J. Brennan, the Flyers' other squad fell to the Islanders, 3-2, in Brooklyn.
Boston bound?
Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek, Valtteri Filppula, Radko Gudas, Ivan Provorov, Andrew MacDonald and Brian Elliott were the Flyers' regulars that did not suit up in either Allentown or Brooklyn on Wednesday night. Hextall said most of the guys listed above, but not all, will play against the Bruins Thursday at TD Garden.
