Islanders' defense shines in win over Flyers

Kyle Palmieri and Mathew Barzal each scored one goal, and the New York Islanders defeated the host Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 Monday in the first game for both teams following the All-Star break.

Bo Horvat, who had a team-high four shots on goal in his Islanders debut, helped New York earn its third win in a row. Horvat arrived in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 30.

Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov made 25 saves.

Nicolas Deslauriers scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who got 28 saves from Carter Hart. Philadelphia lost for the fourth time in five games (1-2-2).

Scott Laughton skated in all alone and fired a shot at 5:36 of the third period, but Varlamov was able to make the nifty glove save to preserve New York's 2-1 lead.

Palmieri was whistled for slashing two minutes later, yet the Flyers generated very little pressure on the power play.

The Flyers recovered and began buzzing around Varlamov with several opportunities.

Hart was then pulled for an extra skater at 17:02. Hart came back into the net at 19:00 since the faceoff was at center ice. He skated to the bench once again with 48 seconds remaining, but the Islanders tightened on defense and held on for the win.

The Islanders dominated on defense at the start of the game, opening with a 9-1 edge in shots.

New York's Simon Holmstrom ripped an attempt off the crossbar at 11:51 of the first.

The Flyers then committed several costly turnovers in their own end and Horvat had a nasty wrist shot saved by Hart at 13:41.

Noah Cates nearly scored short-handed at 16:48 after he stole the puck and shot just wide.

The Islanders responded and snapped a 0-for-26 skid on the power play when Palmieri connected at 17:07 for a 1-0 lead.

Kevin Hayes, the Flyers' lone All-Star, and Owen Tippett each had strong scoring chances in the first five minutes of the second period.

The Islanders went ahead 2-0 at 8:18 of the middle period when Barzal redirected a shot in front past Hart for his 13th goal of the season.

The Flyers quickly sliced the deficit in half when Deslauriers deflected a shot from the point into the net at 10:39 of the second period.

--Field Level Media

1/3: Feb 6, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) waits to warmup before game against the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

2/3: Feb 6, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton (21) walks towards the ice for warmups against the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3/3: Feb 6, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (13) walks towards the ice for warmups against the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports