NEW YORK (Reuters) - James van Riemsdyk scored his first NHL hat-trick to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Islanders on Saturday that ended the New Yorkers playoff hopes.
Jeff Carter and Van Riemsdyk got the Flyers off to a quick start with goals 22 seconds apart just after the eight minute mark of the first period.
Blake Comeau responded for the Islanders but Van Riemsdyk restored the Flyers two-goal lead before the end of the opening period.
Van Riemsdyk completed his three-goal game capitalizing on a fortunate bounce that sent the puck into the slot where he was free to step into a shot that beat Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro.
"It's something pretty cool. You always dream about little things like this when growing up and playing in the driveway," Van Riemsdyk told reporters.
"It takes a lot of luck and a lot of good guys around you to help you."
Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was in fine form, particularly in the first two periods when the Islanders outshot Philadelphia 31-15. Bobrovsky made 36 saves for his 27th win of the season.
"He played really well and seemed like he was in control back there," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said.
"He did a good job of controlling rebounds and made some tough saves, especially in the first two periods. I thought we did a much better job in the third period."
The loss eliminated the Islanders (29-35-12), who are 15 points behind Buffalo in the eighth and final playoff spot, from postseason contention with six games remaining.
"No one ever wants to be playing down the stretch knowing that they're not going to be in the playoffs," said Islanders rookie defenseman Travis Hamonic after the team failed to make the postseason for the fourth straight year.
"For us, we have some motivation, guys are obviously battling for their jobs for next season coming into camp and everyone wants to finish off on a strong note."
Jeff Carter and Van Riemsdyk got the Flyers off to a quick start with goals 22 seconds apart just after the eight minute mark of the first period.
Blake Comeau responded for the Islanders but Van Riemsdyk restored the Flyers two-goal lead before the end of the opening period.
Van Riemsdyk completed his three-goal game capitalizing on a fortunate bounce that sent the puck into the slot where he was free to step into a shot that beat Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro.
"It's something pretty cool. You always dream about little things like this when growing up and playing in the driveway," Van Riemsdyk told reporters.
"It takes a lot of luck and a lot of good guys around you to help you."
Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was in fine form, particularly in the first two periods when the Islanders outshot Philadelphia 31-15. Bobrovsky made 36 saves for his 27th win of the season.
"He played really well and seemed like he was in control back there," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said.
"He did a good job of controlling rebounds and made some tough saves, especially in the first two periods. I thought we did a much better job in the third period."
The loss eliminated the Islanders (29-35-12), who are 15 points behind Buffalo in the eighth and final playoff spot, from postseason contention with six games remaining.
"No one ever wants to be playing down the stretch knowing that they're not going to be in the playoffs," said Islanders rookie defenseman Travis Hamonic after the team failed to make the postseason for the fourth straight year.
"For us, we have some motivation, guys are obviously battling for their jobs for next season coming into camp and everyone wants to finish off on a strong note."
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