Postgame Notebook: Islanders 3, Flyers 0

The New York Islanders shut out the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 in their preseason opener on Sunday and while the results don't count, the process certainly did for new Head Coach Barry Trotz.
Kieffer Bellows, Cal Clutterbuck and Sebastian Aho scored for the Islanders, while Robin Lehner and Christopher Gibson split a 17-save shutout at NYCB Live (Nassau Coliseum).
For Trotz, the two things that stuck out were the amount of shots against and the team's penalty kill, both areas that the coach wanted to address. The Islanders allowed 17 shots, went 4-for-4 shorthanded and 2-for-3 on the power play on Sunday.

"I liked our commitment and willingness to go the distance on plays and being in good structure," Trotz said. "We were hard to play against and we defended a lot better. Our penalty kill got it done. [Those are] areas that were a concern coming in - and going forward until the end of the year… It was a good start."
Below are some notes from Sunday's win over the Flyers.

MARTIN-CIZIKAS-CLUTTERBUCK REUNITE:

The old band was back together on Sunday, as Matt Martin was reunited with his former linemates Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas.
After getting a rousing reception from the crowd at the Coliseum, including a roar for the returning Martin, the line immediately went back to its hard-hitting ways, crashing, banging and combining for 11 hits.
"It feels familiar," Clutterbuck said. "There's definitely a reason why we succeed together. There's an element to each of us that's complimentary to the other… First shift you get out there and especially in this building you're reminded of the energy that we had."
In addition to the physical play, Clutterbuck swept home a power-play goal to put the Islanders up 2-0 in the first period. Cizikas picked up the primary helper.
Trotz, who said he wants to reestablish the Islanders physical identity, was pleased with the trio's effort on Sunday.
"They deserved to start the game," Trotz said. "I'm a little old school. They were a little bit of the identity of this team in this building and this building is going to be home."

BELLOWS BURIES, IMPRESSES:

In his quest to crack the Islanders roster Kieffer Bellows made a good first impression on Sunday.
Bellows opened the scoring with a power-play goal in the first period, posting up in front of the net and burying a goalline feed from Jordan Eberle. The Islanders' 2016 first-rounder said he played that role with the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL last season and got a look with the top power-play unit - featuring Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Nick Leddy and Eberle - on Sunday.
"I played in front of the net all season last year in Portland and I'm very comfortable with it and I like it," Bellows said. "That's where the goals are scored. You look at Anders Lee, he had 40 last year and most of his were down there and he's elite at it."
Bellows nearly had a second in the first period, as he unleashed a slapper off the rush that beat Anthony Stolarz clean but rang off the post. Bellows added an assist on Aho's second period rocket to make it 3-0.
While goal scoring is Bellows' specialty, Trotz said he was impressed by the 20-year-old's commitment to defense at the end of the game and willingness to get in shooting lanes.
"I know he can shoot the puck, that's what he does," Trotz said. "If you want to win you have to be able to play five-on-five and be able to defend and understand the moments and responsibilities and I thought he did a good job today."

LEHNER'S DEBUT:

Robin Lehner was one of a handful of Islanders making their unofficial debuts on Sunday and got the start in goal, turning aside eight shots in just under 30 minutes of action.
Lehner was received well by the Coliseum crowd, getting an ovation when his name was called and again when he ceded the net to Christopher Gibson, who made nine saves to close it out.
"After two periods or even after three they didn't have many scoring chances," Lehner said praising his team's defensive play. "We have a lot left to learn, but it was a good start on how we want to play and should play."

ISLANDERS LINES:

Tweet from @NYIslanders: #Isles D-Pairs:Leddy-DobsonHelgeson-PulockAho-Sbisa Lehner in goal

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders head to Philadelphia Monday for another preseason game against the Flyers. With 68 players at training camp, Trotz said he'll ice a brand-new lineup for the game. Check back at NewYorkIslanders.com Monday for the roster. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.