Zegras, Flyers rally for shootout win against Islanders

PHILADELPHIA -- Trevor Zegras scored his first two goals with the Philadelphia Flyers and also had an assist, then scored in the shootout in a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday.

Zegras, who was acquired by the Flyers in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on June 23, tied the game 3-3 on a power play with his second goal at 7:32 of the third period.

"It felt nice," Zegras said. "The fans are so great. To do it front of them is special for sure. ... It was a big win for us back at home and we want to be a tough team to play here, so pretty fired up about that."

Christian Dvorak had a goal and an assist for Philadelphia (4-3-1), which rallied from a 2-0 deficit. Samuel Ersson made 23 saves.

"Not really too surprised with this team and this locker room," Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale said. "It's what we were talking about between periods -- close game and we're going to win the game. 'Ers' came up huge for us with a bunch of big saves that kept us in the game, and coming out on top was real nice."

Marshall Warren had two assists in his NHL debut for New York (4-3-1), which had won four in a row. Ilya Sorokin made 23 saves.

"It was pretty emotional," said Warren, a Long Island native (Laurel Hollow, New York). "A lot of hard work. Would have loved to get the win there, but it was a pretty cool experience -- one I'll remember for a lifetime."

Simon Holmstrom scored short-handed to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 9:51 of the first period. He intercepted a pass into the slot, took a return pass from Jean-Gabriel Pageau off the rush and scored over Ersson's blocker.

Anthony Duclair made it 2-0 at 6:15 of the second period when he tapped in a pass through the slot from Warren, who was promoted from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Thursday.

"I thought he played really well," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. "He had, what, a couple of apples (assists)? So, he played a really good game. I was happy for him. Played really well."

Dvorak cut it to 2-1 at 10:29. He left the puck for Matvei Michkov at New York’s blue line, skated to the net and was open to score off a pass from Zegras.

Roy felt Dvorak’s goal was a turning point.

"I thought that we were playing really well, even if they had a little more shots than us," he said. "It was 2-0 us, and it's too bad that we lost our coverage on that goal and gave them a bit of life."

Zegras’ first goal with the Flyers tied it 2-2 at 1:54 of the third period. Dvorak was able to control a bouncing puck and passed back to Zegras, who scored from the bottom of the right face-off circle.

"I saw him when I got the puck, saw him out of the corner of my eye," Dvorak said. "He called for it too. Good communication. He was in a good spot and put it in."

Maxim Tsyplakov put the Islanders back in front 3-2 at 4:21, redirecting Warren's point shot.

But Zegras tied it 3-3 at 7:32, knocking a loose puck in the crease under Sorokin after Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield was penalized for high-sticking.

"That's a big goal, Trevor digging in the crease and getting that goal," Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet said. "It's hard. You're blocking out the noise and it's hard to do, but he stuck with it. That's what's got to happen."

Zegras scored low blocker on Sorokin in the second round of the shootout, and Michkov scored in the third round. Holmstrom scored in the second round for New York.

NOTES: It was Zegras' first three-point game since Jan. 21, 2023, with the Ducks against the Buffalo Sabres. He has a 63.6 percent shooting percentage in the shootout (14-for-22), second in NHL history behind Petteri Nummelin (8-for-10, 80 percent). ... Warren is the second defenseman in Islanders history to have multiple points in his NHL debut (Rich Pilon, Oct. 6, 1988). … Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick by New York at the 2025 NHL Draft, led all skaters with 27:40 of ice time. … Holmstrom has two goals and two assists during a three-game point streak. He has seven short-handed goals since the start of last season. … Islanders captain Anders Lee had an assist on Duclair's goal to give him eight points (two goals, six assists) during a four-game point streak.