Game Recap: Islanders 6, Flyers 1

The New York Islanders recent lineup changes were designed to generate more offense at even strength. Judging by Saturday's 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Barry Trotz may have cracked the code.
Five of the Islanders' six goals - their first six-goal game in Philly since 1995 - came at even strength in a convincing win over their Metropolitan Division rivals. Anders Lee led the way with a four-point night (1G, 3A), while Brock Nelson (2G), Leo Komarov, Anthony Beauvillier and Adam Pelech lit the lamp for the Isles. Robin Lehner made 22 saves as the Isles busted out of a two-game winless streak.

"We can't always rely on a power-play goal, so it was good to get a few [even-strength goals] tonight," Lee said. "From top-to-bottom, goalie on out, we had a full-team effort today."
Two of the recent lineup moves - putting Josh Bailey to Nelson's wing and reuniting Beauvillier with Mat Barzal and Jordan Eberle - paid off Saturday. Bailey recorded a primary assist on a Nelson goal for a third straight game, while Beauvillier recorded his first point of the season in his first period back with his old linemates.
"I thought all lines contributed," Trotz said. "Obviously the Nelson line and Barzal line, but you go up and down the lineup they were good. I liked the way we played... I liked the fact that we stayed aggressive through the whole game."
The Islanders were on time for Saturday's 1 p.m. start, jumping on the Flyers early. Komarov deflected a Pelech slapper to open the scoring at 11:38 of the first period, while Beauvillier netted his first of the season less than two minutes later to put the Islanders ahead 2-0. Nelson finished a two-on-one rush with Josh Bailey for his first of the night to put the Islanders ahead 3-0 before Jori Lehtera scored the Flyers' lone goal.

The Islanders poured it on in the third period, scoring three goals in a 2:52 span to put the Flyers away. Pelech beat Michal Neuvirth (16 saves) with a wrist shot through a screen at 8:17, while Nelson sniped his second of the game high short side at 8:58. Lee, who stripped the puck off Lehtera to set up Pelech's goal, capped his four-point game with a power-play goal, making moves into the slot before beating Neuvirth at 11:09. In total, the Islanders scored on three of their six shots in the third period, erasing the bitter taste from Wednesday's overtime loss, where the Isles gave up a 2-0 lead in the third period.
"It was a good response and bounce back from the last game with having a lead and blowing it," Nelson said. "We talked about being in that spot and wanting to be in it today. We came out in the third, stayed aggressive and were able to put it away."

BEAUVILLIER GETS FIRST OF THE YEAR:

Barry Trotz made it clear when he reunited Anthony Beauvillier, Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle as a line that they'd have to show him something if they wanted to stay together.
They didn't waste the opportunity.
The line hooked up to put the Islanders ahead 2-0 in the first period, with Barzal dropping the puck to Eberle who found Beauvillier alone in the slot at 13:20 of the opening frame. The goal was Beauvillier's first of the season.
"It feels good to get on the board, I've had kind of a slow start," said Beauvillier, who also jumped in with Eberle to defend Barzal after the center took a big hit from Ivan Provorov. "It feels good to be back with these guys. We have muscle memory a bit from playing together."

Trotz specifically wanted to give Beauvillier, who hadn't registered a point, a chance to regain his confidence and find some stability after being shuffled up and down the lineup.
"I was really happy for Beau," Trotz said. "Younger guys really look at the numbers and when numbers aren't there they try too hard to manufacture something that's not there and ends up not going the right way for them. I was happy for him, I thought he skated really well, released the puck really well and was good defensively. It was a real good step for him."

CLUTTERBUCK LEAVES GAME:

Cal Clutterbuck Clutterbuck left Saturday's game in the second period and did not return. Trotz said Clutterbuck will be re-evaluated and expects to have an update on Sunday.

ISLANDERS LINES:

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders head to Carolina for their second game in as many days. Puck drop is at 5 p.m.