Isles keep it rolling with seventh straight victory over Flyers

The New York Islanders came into their home matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers on a six game winning streak.  They got a wake-up call immediately when Jake Voracek scored just a minute into the game to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

Anders Lee answered right back to tie the score when Carter Hart misplayed a puck and Lee stuffed the rebound in from the corner.  Derick Brassard, who had scored a goal in each of the last two games on the wings, made it a 2-1 lead for the Islanders.  Brassard has been on fire of late, playing on the wing beside center Brock Nelson and winger Anthony Beauvillier.

The scoring opened up later in the period, as Ross “The Boss” Johnston took a beautiful feed from Cole Bardreau and stuffed it right past Hart.  Johnston later fought Chris Stewart after the two were at each other’s throats earlier in the game.  The goal by Johnston was also the first point of Cole Bardreau’s NHL career.  Travis Konecny scored a late period goal to cut the lead to one.

The Islanders took control in the second period, as a rocket by Ryan Pulock padded the lead back to two.  It was one that Carter Hart may have wanted back, as it hit off his glove and in.  Mathew Barzal made a nifty play to make the lead 5-2 after he sped past the entire Flyers’ team to put one past Hart.

Brian Elliott spelled Hart after a rough outing, and he was magnificent.  Without Elliott this game could have easily been 9 or 10-2.  Either way, the Islanders dominated the rest of the game and a late Claude Giroux goal meant nothing.  The game was out of reach at that point and the Islanders came away with another two points.

The Isles look impressive so far, even with the injuries to Jordan Eberle, Matt Martin, Tom Kuhnhackl and Casey Cizikas.  Zeeker is back but the other three, along with Andrew Ladd, are still far away from coming back.  As long as the Islanders can tread water and continue to win games the way they’ve won them so far, they’ll be just fine.