NEW YORK — Five observations from the Flyers’ crushing 5-4 loss Tuesday night to the New York Islanders, the Metropolitan Division’s worst team:
Coach’s blunder
It’s no secret that the Islanders are a fleet team and that rookie Mathew Barzal has two speeds: fast and faster. Why, then, did Flyers coach Dave Hakstol have the plodding Jori Lehtera on the ice shortly after the Flyers had tied the game at 4 with a furious third-period rally?
Late in the game, Barzal blew past Lehtera and scored on a breakaway. It turned out to be the winning goal.