Quick Hits: Oct. 6, 2021

1) Icing a "B" lineup in Bridgeport against a New York Islanders squad that had most of their best players including Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey, the Flyers put forth a solid effort at 5-on-5 but fell, 3-0. Early first period and late third period penalties on Nicolas Aube-Kubel proved costly as the Islanders cashed in on both. The Flyers also yielded a Lee goal in the final minute of the first period as he took advantage of a physical mismatch near the net. Cam York simply could not contain the much bigger attacker.

Martin Jones had an unimpressive stat line for the night but played fine. None of the three New York goals --scored by Beauvillier, Lee and Bailey -- were the fault of the goaltender. At the other end of the ice, the Flyers generated only sporadic pressure on veteran Cory Schneider but had enough chances to cut into New York's lead. There was no finishing touch. The Flyers' best period was the second; they had a distinct territorial edge during that frame.

For more on Tuesday's game, see the Postgame 5 on the Flyers' official website. Additionally, on the
October 6 edition of Flyers Daily, Jason Myrtetus and I break down Tuesday's game and discuss how the team seems to be trending overall nine days before the regular season opener against Vancouver.

Hear from Head Coach Alain Vigneault following tonight's 3-0 loss to the Islanders. #PHIvsNYI https://t.co/R4ytolI0CI

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 6, 2021

2) Over the first five games of the preseason, the Flyers have yielded six opposition power play goals. This would not be a major concern except for the fact that the Flyers' penalty kill struggled mightily throughout last season.

There is some new personnel within the PK units and there has only been one game this preseason where the Flyers dressed their full "A" lineup on the same night. Nonetheless, some of the issues have been the same; namely, getting burned a few times on entries that were too easy or strong-side pressure that was lacking (i.e., too much time or space for opponents to make plays).

A couple have been puck-luck on blocked shots or broken plays that went the other team's way. Teams, however, ultimately make their own luck. The Flyers' five-on-five defensive play in the preseason has seemed improved. The goaltending has fine overall. But the PK will remain a concern until the team actually shows that there's not a need to worry about it.

3) Yesterday at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, the non-game group practiced while those who dressed for the game against the Islanders were on the way to Bridgeport. After the practice session, team captain Claude Giroux, rookie center hopeful Morgan Frost and veteran defenseman Keith Yandle spoke to the media. For a synopsis of what had to say and video of Frost's availability, click here.

4) Wednesday is a complete off-day for the Flyers. There will, however, be numerous roster cuts announced. Alain Vigneault said that, when the team takes the ice for practice on Thursday, there will be only 22 or 23 players remaining on the roster. The preseason finale is on Friday in DC against the Washington Capitals.

5) The Flyers made a series of roster cuts on Tuesday. None were surprises. Promising center/winger Elliot Desnoyers was returned to the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. All of the following were assigned to the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms: Samuel Ersson, Logan Day, Mason Millman, Maksim Sushko, Wyatte Wylie, Max Willman, Matthew Strome.

Additionally, the Flyers assigned 2021 second-round pick Samu Tuomaala to the Lehigh Valley camp rather than to the Ontario Hockey League's Sudbury Wolves. That is NOT a final decision on the 18-year-old's destination for the 2021-22 season. Rather, it's an opportunity for the player to get into a preseason game or two for the Phantoms before a decision is made.

6) The Phantoms will open a four-game preseason schedule tonight with a road game against the WB/S Penguins. The teams will remain on Saturday at the PPL Center in Allentown. On Sunday, the Phantoms pay a preseason visit to the Hershey Bears (5:00 p.m. ET start). The exhibition slate wraps up next Wednesday (Oct. 13) at home against Hershey.

7) Oct. 6 Flyers Alumni birthdays: Daniel Briere (1978), Ville Leino (1983).

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