Recap: Islanders 5, Flyers 2

The New York Islanders ended their preseason on a winning note on Sunday evening, taking down the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 at Wells Fargo Center.
Anthony Beauvillier scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, while Thomas Greiss made 31 saves as the Islanders improved to 6-0-2 in the exhibition season.

"These don't mean anything as far as the standings, but it's a great building block for our team," Head Coach Doug Weight said. "There's experience to be gained from winning close games and going 6-0-2. I think there's good vibes, good confidence and it bodes well for the organization."

After falling behind 1-0 early in the first, the Islanders rattled off four straight goals to take control of Sunday's game. Dennis Seidenberg tied the score with a rocket in the first period, one-timing a Cal Clutterbuck pass by Brian Elliott to make it 1-1.
A pair of quick strikes put the Islanders ahead in the second, as Anders Lee and Beauvillier lit the lamp 45 seconds apart. Lee scored in trademark fashion, jamming home the puck on the doorstep after Devon Toews' point shot caromed off the end boards to make it 2-1. The goal was Lee's second in as many games.

Armed with a lead, Beauvillier gave the Islanders some breathing room with his first of the preseason. The pesky 20-year-old buried off the rush, snapping a wrister under Elliott's arm at 3:07 of the second.
Beauvillier was a presence throughout Sunday's game, playing the part of utility player for the Islanders and a thorn in the side of the Flyers. He got looks on both the power play and penalty kill and showed off both aspects of his game, hustling, back-checking and grinding on the PK and finishing when he had the chances. He put an exclamation point on his night with a wicked one-timer just under the crossbar on a 4-on-3 power play in the third period.

"I think he's playing Friday," Weight said of Beauvillier. "He's been excellent in every aspect of the game. He's really taken on the PKs and he's an engine, he's working, he's skating better, he's put work in and he's a heck of a player."
Wayne Simmonds made it 4-2 with a power-play deflection in the third period, but that's as close as the Flyers came. Steve Bernier iced it with a late empty-netter.
"There's a lot of confidence," Beauvillier said. "We've played strong preseason games and it's fun when you win, it's always more fun. I just can't wait for Friday. Let's get it going."

GREISS, GREISS BABY:

Thomas Greiss turned in another solid outing on Sunday evening, stopping 31-of-33 shots including 10 of 11 in a penalty-filled third period.
"Preseason is just about working on your game, getting back in a groove and feeling good," Greiss said. "There are a couple things I want to work on, but overall my game has progressed nicely over the last couple of games."

Greiss has now stopped 73-of-76 shots (.960SV%) in eight periods of preseason play, while Halak has stopped 76-of-78 (.974SV%). The quality of goaltending has been high regardless of which goaltender is on the ice and both are likely to get a game in the Islanders season-opening back-to-back set.

NEXT GAME:

The next one counts, as the Islanders open their regular season on Friday night in Columbus.