Yahoo Sports Gameday 49 Preview: Flyers vs. Islanders
The Philadelphia Flyers are back in action tonight as they take on the New York Islanders in the second game of a back-to-back.
Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Rangers may have looked like a blowout on the scoreboard, but the Flyers were steadfast in their belief that the performance wasn’t as poor as the result suggests. Several players and head coach John Tortorella pointed to their work ethic, solid scoring chances, and simply being outplayed by an elite goaltender in Igor Shesterkin.
The Flyers will need to channel that resilience and put the loss behind them quickly as they take on an Islanders team known for its structure and discipline.
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Short Memories Are Key to Bouncing Back
One of the most crucial traits for a team playing back-to-back games is the ability to move on from the previous night, win or lose. The Flyers have shown time and again this season that they are a resilient group, and this mindset will be essential as they face the Islanders.
Veterans like Garnet Hathaway and Travis Sanheim emphasized after the Rangers game that the team created quality opportunities and never stopped working, even as the scoreline got away from them. This positive approach will serve them well against the Islanders, a team that can punish mistakes if the Flyers allow frustration from the prior night to creep into their game.
Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News
"I think we have to [move on quickly from the loss]," goaltender Sam Ersson said postgame on Thursday. "We just have to look at this game for what it was—it was a loss and obviously we want to bounce back quickly."
The Flyers’ identity this season has been rooted in relentless effort and cohesion, and that will need to shine through tonight. Tortorella has repeatedly preached the importance of focusing on the process, and the Flyers have embraced that mantra. The game against the Rangers is in the rearview mirror, and the Islanders present a fresh opportunity to prove their resilience.
Chemistry on Key Lines
One of the bright spots for the Flyers in recent games has been the development of chemistry within their forward lines.
Their top line of Travis Konecny, Morgan Frost, and Owen Tippett has been clicking well, while Anthony Richard, Rodrigo Abols, and Garnet Hathaway have begun gelling into a dangerous trio, combining skill, speed, and physicality to generate offense. Abols has settled in quickly with this Flyers team, utilizing his two-way game and size, while Richard's speed and ability to read the game complemented each other nicely.
Anthony Richard and Rodrigo Abols have been combining well for a couple of chances this period. The two have played together in preseason and in Lehigh Valley, and the chemistry certainly looks to be picking up right where they left off. #LetsGoFlyers
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) January 24, 2025
The line of Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, and Bobby Brink continues to impress, while Joel Farabee, Sean Couturier, and Matvei Michkov have been finding some success together. If the Flyers can continue to build on the chemistry within these lines, they’ll be well-positioned to generate sustained pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Against the Islanders, who pride themselves on defensive discipline and limiting high-danger chances, these lines will need to be sharp. Quick puck movement, efficient zone entries, and finishing on the chances they create will be critical if the Flyers hope to break through a stingy defense and goaltender Ilya Sorokin, should he get the start.
Neutralizing the Islanders' Counterattack
The Islanders thrive on structured, opportunistic hockey, often lulling opponents into mistakes and striking quickly on the counterattack. Players like Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson excel at turning turnovers into offense, and the Flyers will need to be acutely aware of this throughout the game.
One area where the Flyers must improve from the Rangers game is their puck management in the neutral zone. Too often, turnovers or rushed decisions led to odd-man rushes and quality chances for New York. While Sam Ersson was left hung out to dry at times, the defensive structure in front of him also needs to tighten up to limit high-danger chances.
Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News
The Flyers’ defensemen, led by Cam York and Travis Sanheim, have been effective in joining the rush and creating offensive pressure this season, but they’ll need to find the right balance against the Islanders. Staying disciplined and making smart, simple plays will go a long way in minimizing the Islanders’ counterattacking opportunities.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Travis Konecny
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Joel Farabee - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov
Anthony Richard - Rodrigo Abols - Garnet Hathaway
Defense:
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Starting Goalie:
Ivan Fedotov
New York Islanders
Forwards:
Anders Lee - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Anthony Duclair - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Casey Cizikas - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Simon Holmstrom
Pierre Engvall - Kyle MacLean - Marc Gatcomb
Defense:
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov - Scott Mayfield
Isaiah George - Dennis Cholowski
Starting Goalie:
Ilya Sorokin
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