Flyers

Flyers-Islanders: Game 39 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
Author photo
Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published08 Apr 2021

Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Islanders: Game 39 Preview

There are still 18 games remaining on the Flyers schedule, and though they technically have time to make things interesting in the playoff race, another loss to Boston on Tuesday sure felt like the dagger. It is going to take a run of astronomical proportions to make the playoffs now, so that would require wins at all costs, especially for the remainder of this week before the trade deadline.

The Flyers week continues with a meeting against the New York Islanders, a team that just made their splash at the trade deadline by acquiring Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils. 

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P New York Islanders GP G A P
James van Riemsdyk 38 13 18 31 Mathew Barzal 39 13 21 34
Jake Voracek 35 6 25 31 Jordan Eberle 39 13 12 25
Claude Giroux 36 11 19 30 Nick Leddy 39 1 24 25
Sean Couturier 27 11 17 28 Josh Bailey 39 6 18 24
Joel Farabee 37 14 13 27 Brock Nelson 39 14 9 23

Players To Watch 4-8

James van Riemsdyk got off to a hot start this season and has been leading the team in points the entire way. Lately, he's been ice cold in point production, with no points in his last seven games and just two assists in his last 12 games. 
 
On the other side, Mathew Barzal is really heating up. Barzal had a hat trick and five points against Washington a week ago, then had an assist on Saturday when the Islanders last faced the Flyers. In total, Barzal has nine points over his last five games after going 10 games with just three assists.
 
Goalie Matchup 4-8

Carter Hart had some good moments in Tuesday's game against Boston, but also had some moments he wanted back. It's a work in progress for Hart, and he'll continue to work his way back to where he was with more ice time. He's expected to get the start against the Islanders on Thursday night.

Ilya Sorokin has really started to get familiar with the Flyers. He faced the Flyers in just his third career start, an overtime loss where he made 25 saves. Since then, he's faced the Flyers three more times, getting wins in all of them. He made 30 saves in the most recent win and has stopped 89 of 93 shots faced in those three games.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Line Combos 4-8

Flyers Scratches: Morgan Frost (injury), Robert Hagg (injured), Tanner Laczynski (healthy), Erik Gustafsson (healthy)

 
Opponent Line Combos 4-8

Islanders Scratches: Michael Dal Colle (injury), Ross Johnston (healthy), Sebastian Aho (healthy), Cory Schneider (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: No changes are anticipated for the Flyers lineup, though an official announcement on the lineup won't come until later this afternoon.
  • Islanders: The two newest additions to the Islanders will make their debut on Thursday night. One day after being traded from New Jersey, both Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac are in the lineup. 

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (20th), Islanders (22nd)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th), Islanders (11th)
  • Recent History vs. Islanders
    • Jan. 30, 2021 – Flyers 3, Islanders 2 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • Jan. 31, 2021 – Flyers 4, Islanders 3 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • March 18, 2021 – Flyers 4, Islanders 3 (at NYI)
    • March 20, 2021 – Islanders 6, Flyers 1 (at NYI)
    • March 22, 2021 – Islanders 2, Flyers 1 (F/OT) (at PHI)
    • April 3, 2021 – Islanders 3, Flyers 2 (F/SO) (at NYI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Islanders
    • Claude Giroux – 58 GP, 21 G, 42 A, 63 P
    • Jake Voracek – 48 GP, 8 G, 30 A, 38 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 43 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 P
    • Carter Hart – 6 GP, 2-3-1, 3.94 GAA, .862 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic/97.3 ESPN