Bobrovsky Difference-Maker as Flyers Continue Success Against Islanders

Sergei Bobrovsky showcased another strong performance Thursday evening. | (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)

By: Tyler J. Altemose (@TJamesAltemose)

Sergei Bobrovsky continued his strong play Thursday evening and was the difference-maker in a 3-2 Flyers victory over the New York Islanders.

The Flyers were looking to gain some ground on the division-leading New York Rangers while the Islanders were looking to close the gap on the Atlantic Division basement with the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins. The Flyers have historically played well against the Islanders, having won 22 of the past 23 contests against them over the course of the past four seasons.

The Flyers maintained offensive control for the first ten minutes of the first period before letting the Islanders take control. Both Bobrovsky and Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabakov looked strong to start.

Scott Hartnell opened up the scoring off of a deflection from the stick of Jaromir Jagr. The goal was Hartnell’s nineteenth of the season. He now leads the Flyers in goals scored.

The Islanders continued their push in the second period, once again maintaining control of the puck. That momentum changed, however, after Islanders goaltender Nabakov mis-played the puck behind his own net. Scott Hartnell pressured him, and as an attempt to clear the puck was thwarted by a pinching Kimmo Timonen it found its way to an awaiting Wayne Simmonds. His shot from the corner deflected into the net and put the Flyers up 2-0 just over 13 minutes into the period.

The Islanders once again put pressure on the Flyers in the waning moments of the period. Sergei Bobrovsky had 22 saves on 22 shots through two periods of play.

“Bob played great all game again today,” mentioned forward Scott Hartnell after the game. “He was good at playing the puck, he was good at covering up the rebounds, if there was a shot up high it seemed like he was holding onto it.” “He was confident with the puck. It seems like every game he’s played he’s played pretty solid. It’s good to have that confidence. We just have to keep on rolling.”

The potential for a shutout ended just 22 seconds into the first period however, when Kyle Okposo received a pass in the slot. The Flyers had forfeited leads in three of their past five games before this evening’s contest, but fortunately they did not do so tonight.

Sean Couturier, recently named one of four Flyers All-Star invitees (along with fellow rookie Matt Read, forward Claude Giroux, and defenseman Kimmo Timonen) shut the door on the Islanders as he scored with 1:30 remaining on a quick wrist shot from the left face-off circle.

Couturier’s goal ended up being the game-winner as John Tavares scored with just 15.6 seconds remaining. The Flyers held onto the 3-2 win. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 34 of 35 shots.

Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette commented on Couturier’s performance after the game.

“He’s playing so well right now. We find (sic) ourselves wanting to put him out there against the Tavares line. He’s really doing a good job defensively, and then to contribute the way he has offensively as of late—[he’s] just a really smart player; really smart.”

The Flyers improved to 26-12-4 (56 points) and are now 6-4-0 in their last ten. They take on the Nashville Predators Saturday evening at 8 p.m. in Nashville.