By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
If you were looking for a test for a lot of rookies in the Flyers system, you got it on Sunday.
The Flyers sent a youthful lineup to Nassau Coliseum for the preseason opener and managed to carry a lead into the third period.
But the Islanders veteran-heavy lineup was able to rally back, with John Tavares striking twice including in overtime for the game-winning goal in a 3-2 Islanders win over the Flyers.
Penalties were the story in the first period. Both teams got power play chances but couldn't capitalize and 5-on-5 play was fairly limited.
In the second, the Flyers scored the game's first goal early. Off a face-off win, Shayne Gostisbehere threw a shot on goal that was deflected in by Mike Vecchione for the first goal of the preseason.
The Flyers were shorthanded later in the period, but managed a goal as Jori Lehtera got a breakaway and avoided the poke-check attempt to score and make it a 2-0 game.
The Islanders still had power play time and responded immediately with Tavares scoring to cut the lead to one. The Flyers carried a 2-1 lead into the third.
The Islanders tied the game early in the third with Mathew Barzal beating Travis Sanheim on a rush and beating Leland Irving with a shot. That score held for the remainder of regulation, despite a late power-play attempt by the Flyers.
Early in overtime, a turnover by Phil Myers set up Tavares for the game-winning goal.
The Flyers are back on the ice on Wednesday for split-squad action against the Islanders from Allentown and Brooklyn. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Box Score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | T | |
| Flyers | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Islanders | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Scoring Summary
1st Period
- No Scoring
2nd Period
- PHI Mike Vecchione (1)
- PHI Jori Lehtera (1) SH
- NYI John Tavares (1) PP
3rd Period
- NYI Mathew Barzal (1)
Overtime
- NYI Tavares (2)
