On Thursday, the New York Islanders gave only one period of effort. But it was the third period, and it resulted, briefly, in a tied game. While they lost in regulation, you hoped that they would look at that period and say, despite having a record this season of 0-1-2 against Philadelphia Flyers, “we are capable of taking it to these guys.”
We saw exactly that. A four-goal first period, featuring two goals by Casey Cizikas and two assists each from Thomas Hickey and Oliver Wahlstrom (who also had his first career NHL fight against Oskar Lindblom), led to a 6–1 smackdown.