This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other in the playoffs since 1987. That was the same year the Flyers went to the finals and took the dynasty of the Edmonton Oilers and forced 7 games and lost. This series should and will be much different then the last series played against the Habs. The Isles and Flyers try to do the same thing in a way by turning good neutral and defensive zone play into quick turnovers and odd man rushes. The Islanders like the Flyers play a good strong team defense and allow very little chances on the 5v5. They’re PK is also just as good where they were 80.7% in the regular season. Not only are they good at killing off Penalties but they do an even better job at saying out of the sin bin.

The key for the Flyers this series are simple: stay out of the box, it’s going to be hard enough to play with this team on even strength let alone play a man down. Find ways to execute on the PP, if they can’t score on the power play we won’t stand a chance against this Islanders team. They also need to clean out the front of the net and in the slot. Don’t allow any second chance shots in the high danger areas. This means have a strong net front presence and block as many shots as you can. This will lead to a series win with Hart in net.

My players to watch this series aren’t players they will be the coaches. I believe this series won’t be won by just good play alone it will be won by the coach that out smarts the other. Who makes the better line changes. Who jumbles the lines and calls on which players at what moments. Who takes the opportune chances when they matter the most. Those will be the questions that need answered.

My three stars of the series for the Flyers will be:

Joel Farabee Ivan Provorov Carter Hart