Flyers aim to rebound against Islanders in tail end of back-to-back

The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders meet on Friday night at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, in a pivotal Metropolitan Division showdown. Both teams are looking to gain ground in the playoff race, with crucial points on the line.

The Flyers (22-21-6) are hoping to bounce back after their six-game point streak came to an end on Thursday in a disappointing 6-1 loss to the New York Rangers. Despite the setback, the team remains in the thick of the playoff hunt. Meanwhile, the Islanders (19-20-7) enter this matchup riding a two-game win streak, including a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. They’ll look to use their home-ice advantage to keep the momentum going.

Storylines to Watch

1. Flyers Look to Rebound After Snapping Point Streak

The Flyers had been building momentum over the past few weeks, going 5-0-1 in their previous six games before the loss to the Rangers. The team was undone by defensive lapses and a lack of offensive support in that outing, but they’ll look to right the ship against a familiar division rival.

2. Goaltending Duel 

Ivan Fedotov will get the start in goal tonight for the Flyers. The 27-year-old Russian netminder has had a challenging season, with a 4-5-3 record, 3.26 goals-against average, and .879 save percentage. With starter Samuel Ersson taking a rest, Fedotov has an opportunity to prove himself in a high-stakes game against an Islanders team averaging 2.65 goals per game.

For the Islanders, Ilya Sorokin is likely to start. Sorokin, with a 14-14-4 record, 2.81 GAA, and .902 save percentage, has been a steady presence in net and will look to keep the Flyers’ offense in check.

3. Special Teams Could Tip the Scales

Special teams could play a decisive role in this matchup. The Flyers’ power play has struggled this season, ranking 29th in the league at 16.1%, but the Islanders’ penalty kill has been even worse, sitting dead last at 67.7%. Conversely, the Islanders’ power play is also at the bottom of the NHL, converting just 12.5% of their chances. Whichever team can find a spark with the man advantage — or avoid costly penalties — could hold the edge.

4. Season Series So Far

This is the second meeting between these teams this season. The Flyers claimed the first game on January 16th with a 5-3 victory, thanks to strong performances from Sean Couturier, Morgan Frost, and Cam York. The Islanders surprisingly excelled on special teams in that contest, going 2-for-4 on the power play while killing all four of the Flyers’ power play chances.

The Islanders have been strong at home recently, with two consecutive wins at UBS Arena, and will look to even the season series tonight.

Key Players to Watch

Flyers: Travis Konecny remains the team’s offensive leader with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists), while rookie Matvei Michkov has been a revelation, tallying 34 points in his debut season.

Islanders: Anders Lee leads the team with 36 points (20 goals, 16 assists) and has been their most consistent offensive threat. Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri will also be critical for a New York team looking to improve on its 2.65 goals-per-game average.