The Flyers gave it all they had on Tuesday night but it wasn’t enough in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
The defeat extended the Flyers’ winless streak to 13 games (0-11-2), a new franchise record. The old mark was 12 (0-8-4) established in the 1998-99 season.
Zach Parise scored with 8:09 to play to break a 3-3 tie and the Islanders made it stick.
Gerry Mayhew’s goal at 1:30 of the third period pulled the Flyers even at 3-3. Mayhew broke from the sideboards, dodged a check and sent a shot past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin.
The Flyers raced to a 2-0 lead in the first period but the advantage didn’t last long.
Claude Giroux connected by way of a long shot just off the boards which somehow eluded Sorokin at the 57-second mark. The Flyers also got a lucky bounce on their second goal when Justin Braun’s point shot deflected off defenseman Andy Greene’s skate and into the net at 12:48.
The Islanders countered quickly, with Noah Dobson burying a long shot as goaltender Martin Jones was screened at 13:37. Then at 18:15, Mathew Barzal broke past a Zack MacEwen check, igniting a two-on-one rush. Anders Lee completed the deal.
New York made it 3-2 at 5:42 of the second period. With the Islanders on a power play, Barzal did the honors.
The Flyers were finishing up a back-to-back and three games in four days. It began to show in the second period, when the Flyers were outshot, 14-3.
“They knew we were a tired team,’’ interim head coach Mike Yeo said. “They made sure our ‘D’ had to go back and chase pucks. It was tough for us to execute and get the changes. We just kind of got pinned in there. But it was 3-3 late in the game. And we found a way to lose the game.’’
The Flyers now get three full days to rest and practice before their next game, home vs. the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.
“This has been a tough stretch emotionally and physically,’’ Yeo said. “There are some things we have to work on.’’
Yeo was impressed with the 29-year-old Mayhew’s energy and enthusiasm.
“He just looks very determined,’’ Yeo said. “To be a guy who can be here when (injured) guys get back. That’s what we’re asking for from all our young players. Show that you are somebody we would want on this team not just now. Hopefully he can continue that.’’
Mayhew might have been the best Flyer on the ice Tuesday night.
“It’s been rough around here,’’ he admitted. “To get that goal (only his fourth in 27 NHL games), I was pretty pumped. But it’s nothing if you don’t win.’’
Added Travis Konecny: “There’s a lot of good to take from the game and there are mistakes again that are happening. It’s not just one person, everyone’s accountable, starting with me. It’s just frustrating.’’
>Yandle sets record
Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle broke the NHL’s ironman record for consecutive games played by competing in his 965th match on Tuesday night. The old record, 964, was held by ex-Montreal Canadien, Washington Capital and Hartford Whaler Doug Jarvis.
Yandle’s family was in attendance for the big event. The Islanders paid tribute with an announcement on the video board and there was an enthusiastic ovation.
In addition, all of Yandle’s teammates wore T-shirts with “965’’ on display.
“It was special,’’ Yandle said after the game. “I didn’t know how many people were coming. To see the amount of support I had, people taking time out of their lives to support me, it meant the world to me.’’
Through 964 games during his streak, Yandle recorded 479 assists, which ranks second among all NHL defensemen, and 572 points, which ranks third among all defensemen, while his 269 power-play points lead all defensemen since that date. He has logged a total of 20,877:05 time-on-ice, including 3,418:51 on the power play, and an average of 21:39 ice time per-game.
During his entire NHL career spanning parts of 16 seasons in the league, Yandle has appeared in 1,075 regular season games where he has recorded 102 goals and 511 assists for 613 points with the Arizona/Phoenix Coyotes (2006-07 to 2014-15), New York Rangers (2014-15 to 2015-16), Florida Panthers (2016-17 to 2020-21) and Flyers (2021-22).
He is a veteran of 58 Stanley Cup Playoff games and has recorded 36 points (six goals/36 points) in that span, which included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, and Eastern Conference Final in 2015 with the New York Rangers.
Selected in the fourth round (105th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Yandle is a three-time NHL All-Star having been named to the mid-season game in 2011, 2012 and 2019, and ranks 10th all-time among U.S.-born defenseman in NHL history with his 613 points.
Jarvis was gracious in his praise of Yandle’s record-setting milestone.
“It takes a lot of character and it takes a real love for the game and I want to just commend Keith on all of those things,’’ Jarvis said in a statement. “When I reflect back on this, I’m really excited for him. I’m really happy that this mark is going to be passed because, for me, it means a player’s been able to play and stay healthy through his career and I wish that for every player.’’
>Sandin makes NHL debut
The Flyers activated rookie Linus Sandin and he made his NHL debut. Sandin wore jersey No. 36. He also wore a full shield to protect a facial injury.
