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Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders Game 3 Odds & Picks – Aug. 27

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in NHL Hockey

Updated Mar 11, 2021 · 1:57 PM PST

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Brian Elliott (37) celebrates his 3-0 shutout victory with forward Sean Couturier (14) following the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
  • The Flyers survived a  near-devastating collapse to win Game 2
  • Philippe Myers scored the winner early in overtime after Philly blew a three-goal lead
  • Game 3 goes Thursday at 7:00pm EST; we break down the match-up and give our picks

At first it looked like a forgone conclusion that the Philadelphia Flyers were going to win Game 2 and tie their series with the New York Islanders at 1-1.

Then, after Philly’s big guns staked them to a 3-0 lead, the Flyers’ offense nearly collapsed upon itself.

After the first period, the Islanders started to dominate, and it took a bouncing shot from the point to tie the series for Philly.

With Game 3 just over 24 hours later (7:00 pm ET, Aug 27th) the Flyers need to figure out how to hold on to what worked.

Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders Game 3 Odds

Team Moneyline Puckline Total at DraftKings
Philadelphia Flyers -112 -1.5 (+240) Over 5 (-112)
New York Islanders -104 +1.5 (-295) Under 5 (-109)

Odds as of Aug 26th.

Just two games in and this series has been a battle. The Flyers vs Islanders odds have gone back and forth and now slightly lean towards the Isles.

The odds on the total are pretty much the same as our Game 2 preview. This time the Under can be had at the better price.

Flyers’ Offense Shows Up, Then Disappears

The Flyers have struggled to get playoff production out of their best regular-season performers. Heading into this series, their top-five regular-season scorers had combined for just five goals.

Jakub Voracek had four of them.

Despite getting shut out in Game 1, Kevin Hayes was alright. He turned up early in Game 2 with a pair of goals. But where did things go from there?

Flyers’ Offense: 1st Period vs Rest of Regulation

1st Period
VS
2nd/3rd Period Averages
3 Goals 0
11 Shots per Period 8.5
48.57 Corsi For % 36.31
44.83 Fenwick For % 37.13
9 Scoring Chances 6
2 High-Danger Chances 1.5

You could almost argue that the Flyers went into a shell after the first period. All three of their high-danger chances after the first came in the second period. The Islanders generated 21 scoring chances in the second and third, nearly doubling the Flyers’  12.

The possession numbers weren’t much better for the Flyers.

After the opening frame their Corsi% dropped to 41.18%, and then 31.43%. Their Fenwick Percentage suffered similarly.

For what it’s worth, the Flyers dominated overtime. All three minutes of it.

Did We See Cracks in Carter Hart’s Armor?

We were hesitant to pin much of Game 1’s shortcomings on Carter Hart.

The first goal was on the soft side, but there was very little he could do about the next two. Game 2, however, was a little different.

Anders Lee opened the scoring for the Islanders, and Hart didn’t get a ton of help on the play. It was a great redirection on the power play from the top of the crease.

But Anthony Beauvillier’s goal was stoppable. And while Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s game-tying goal was almost identical to his Game 1 goal, Hart had a chance before it whistled past his ear.

A lot of it could be chalked up to the Flyers’ dip in possession, but the Islanders have been able to get in-front of Hart almost at will.

New York forced the Flyers’ defense into turnovers once again, this time creating  nine. Unless Philly fights back, Hart will continually have to battle traffic.

Flyers, Islanders Hope to Make Game 3 Statement

With the way the first two games have played out, the Flyers have to be happy with a split.

But the Islanders have shown that they can slow down Philly. They’ve been able to pressure the Flyers’ defense and cause turnovers. And more often than not, they’re converting.

After a more wide-open Game 2, things will be tight once again in Game 3. And the Flyers’ big guns will be frustrated again.

The Pick: Islanders (-104), UNDER 5.0 (-109)

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