Farabee’s surge does not seem to be slowing

The Flyers are off to their best start in 18 years after a 4-3 overtime win over the New York Islanders Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers scored first and last, Joel Farabee getting the first three goals and Kevin Hayes burying a shot on the power play with Isles star Mathew Barzal off for high sticking and just 38 seconds left in the extra session.

It was the fourth straight victory for the Flyers, who are 5-0 when they score first this season and 2-0 in overtime.

Hayes buried a backhand pass from Claude Giroux with 38 seconds left in overtime to avert a shootout. It was the fifth goal for Hayes.

“Everyone knows that our 5-on-5 play hasn’t been great but we’ve gotten two points in four consecutive games,” Hayes said. “You can’t be too upset when you’re getting two points every single night. I thought tonight was our best 60-minute effort in a long time. I know we gave up a two-goal lead but ultimately we didn’t break.”

It was a 64-minute effort, but who’s counting?

The last time the Flyers (7-2-1) started this well was in the 200203 season when they got out of the blocks with a 7-1-2 mark.

Goalie Brian Elliott elevated to 3-0 on the season, delivering his 33rd save late in overtime to give Hayes a chance.

Elliott was sharp when it was needed, the Flyers taking a 3-1 lead into the final frame. The Islanders (3-5-1) made it a game with two quick goals by Josh Bailey and Barzal before falling to 1-5-1 on the road this season.

Farabee got his third goal by deflecting a Phil Myers blast from just inside the blue line through heavy traffic with 4:18 remaining in the second period. Farrabee got the first goal 38 seconds into the game. The third goal deflected off him.

“I just kind of went to the net,” Farabee said. “I kind of felt something hit my pants. Wasn’t sure if it was a stick or a puck. Either way it was a great play by JVR and Phil to make that play. I just happened to be at the net. So, great play all around.”

Farabee, 20, has found a groove on a line with Scott Laughton and James van Riemsdyk, the latter of whom assisted on all three goals. Vigneault likes the chemistry.

“It turned out to be a good night for our team, a good night for that line and especially a good night for him,” Vigneault said.

It was the first hat trick for Farabee, prompting Hayes to kid his teammate that he was surprised “it took him a little bit too long.”

Hayes then congratulated Farabee with a fist bump during the video conference. And Hayes put in some more good words for his teammates who have found ways to win without injured superstar Sean Couturier.

“It’s a resilient group,” Hayes said. “Even though Coots is gone — I mean, he’s a tough guy to replace — but we’re still winning games. Obviously, you want to win every 10-0 but that’s not the case. When you’re up two goals, you’re feeling good about your game and then all of the sudden the game is tied. It’s very easy to point fingers and start panicking. This team doesn’t do that. I think that starts with our leadership group and our coaches. I thought tonight it was a big reason why we won.”

Vigneault applauded the Flyers’ penalty killing. Piling up six penalties, double their average on the season, didn’t sit well with AV. Killing all but one, and 14 of the last 15 penalties was more easily stomached.

“There’s no doubt penalty killing is part of having success,” Vigneault said. “But I would also staying out of the box is something we’re going to work on here in the near future. We took way too many penalties tonight.”