Flyers lose to Islanders, winless streak at record 13 games
The Flyers gave it all they had on Tuesday night but it wasn't enough in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
The defeat extended the Flyers' winless streak to 13 games (0-11-2), a new franchise record. The old mark was 12 (0-8-4) established in the 1998-99 season.
Zach Parise scored with 8:09 to play to break a 3-3 tie, and the Islanders made it stick.
Gerry Mayhew’s goal at 1:30 of the third period pulled the Flyers even at 3-3. Mayhew broke from the sideboards, dodged a check and sent a shot past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin.
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The Flyers raced to a 2-0 lead in the first period but the advantage didn’t last long.
Claude Giroux connected by way of a long shot just off the boards, which somehow eluded Sorokin at the 57-second mark. The Flyers also got a lucky bounce on their second goal when Justin Braun’s point shot deflected off defenseman Andy Greene’s skate and into the net at 12:48.
The Islanders countered quickly, with Noah Dobson burying a long shot as goaltender Martin Jones was screened at 13:37. Then at 18:15, Mathew Barzal broke past a Zack MacEwen check, igniting a two-on-one rush. Anders Lee completed the deal.
New York made it 3-2 at 5:42 of the second period. With the Islanders on a power play, Barzal did the honors.
Yandle sets record
Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle broke the NHL’s ironman record for consecutive games played by competing in his 965th match on Tuesday night. The old record, 964, was held by ex-Montreal Canadien, Washington Capital and Hartford Whaler Doug Jarvis.
Through 964 games during his streak, Yandle recorded 479 assists, which ranks second among all NHL defensemen, and 572 points, which ranks third among all defensemen, while his 269 power-play points lead all defensemen since that date. He has logged a total of 20,877:05 time-on-ice, including 3,418:51 on the power play, and an average of 21:39 ice time per-game.
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During his entire NHL career spanning parts of 16 seasons in the league, Yandle has appeared in 1,075 regular season games where he has recorded 102 goals and 511 assists for 613 points with the Arizona/Phoenix Coyotes (2006-07 to 2014-15), New York Rangers (2014-15 to 2015-16), Florida Panthers (2016-17 to 2020-21) and Flyers (2021-22).
He is a veteran of 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games and has recorded 36 points (six goals/36 points) in that span, which included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, and Eastern Conference Final in 2015 with the New York Rangers.
Selected in the fourth round (105th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Yandle is a three-time NHL All-Star having been named to the mid-season game in 2011, 2012 and 2019, and ranks 10th all-time among U.S.-born defenseman in NHL history with his 613 points.
Jarvis was gracious in his praise of Yandle’s record-setting milestone.
“It takes a lot of character and it takes a real love for the game and I want to just commend Keith on all of those things,’’ Jarvis said in a statement. “When I reflect back on this, I’m really excited for him. I’m really happy that this mark is going to be passed because, for me, it means a player’s been able to play and stay healthy through his career and I wish that for every player.’’
Sandin makes NHL debut
The Flyers activated rookie Linus Sandin and he made his NHL debut. Sandin wore jersey No. 36. He also wore a full shield to protect a facial injury.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Flyers lose to Islanders, winless streak at record 13 games
