Key Takeaways from Flyers’ 2-1 Preseason Defeat to Islanders…

Here are 5 key observations from the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2-1 preseason defeat to the New York Islanders:

1. Noah Cates Shines: Noah Cates, known as one of the NHL’s standout rookies last season, had a standout performance for the Flyers. Despite facing the Islanders’ regular skaters like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, the 24-year-old forward stood out. He transitioned smoothly from wing to center and led the Flyers’ offense, even providing the primary assist for the team’s lone goal with an impressive no-look pass.
2. Limited Offensive Production: The Flyers struggled to generate offense due to a shorthanded lineup consisting mostly of American Hockey League (AHL) players. With the Islanders fielding their regular roster, the mismatch was evident. Apart from Cates’ line, which included Scott Laughton and Samu Tuomaala, the Flyers had difficulty creating scoring opportunities until late in the game.
3. Strong Goaltending: Flyers’ goaltenders Felix Sandstrom and Sam Ersson delivered solid performances, allowing just two goals on 19 shots. Although they each conceded a goal, those were more a result of unfortunate circumstances rather than any major mistakes. The battle for the backup goaltending position appears competitive, with both Sandstrom and Ersson making strong cases.
4. Effective Penalty Kill: Despite allowing a goal while shorthanded, the Flyers displayed strong penalty killing efforts. When key NHL players were on the ice during penalty kills, the Islanders struggled to apply pressure on the power play. This suggests the Flyers have options for their penalty kill units heading into the regular season.
5. Improvement Over Previous Game: The Flyers’ performance against the Islanders showed significant improvement compared to their previous game against the New Jersey Devils. They held their own in various aspects, including goaltending, penalty killing, and offensive pressure. This progress is encouraging, especially considering the presence of players unlikely to make the opening roster.

The Flyers will continue their preseason campaign against the Boston Bruins on September 29, marking their final game away from home ice before showcasing their new home uniforms outside of training camp activities.