Flyers

Flyers-Islanders: Game 68 Preview

By
Kevin Durso
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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

Published09 Mar 2019

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Islanders: Game 68 Preview

The Flyers may not have gained ground on Wednesday night, but they did get some help in the standings on Thursday and Friday and the margin back of the final spot remains at seven points.

The Flyers are back on Long Island on Saturday, just six days removed from a 4-1 win over the Islanders, looking to keep things going in their playoff push alive.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P New York Islanders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 67 20 52 72 Mathew Barzal 67 17 36 53
Sean Couturier 65 27 36 63 Josh Bailey 67 14 36 50
Jake Voracek 65 18 41 59 Brock Nelson 67 21 23 44
Travis Konecny 67 21 21 42 Anders Lee 67 23 20 43
James van Riemsdyk 51 19 16 35 Ryan Pulock 67 7 24 31
 
Player to Watch
93 Jake Voracek     13 Mathew Barzal
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 6 A, 9 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, -1
 
Jake Voracek makes his return to the lineup and brings in a four-game points streak that includes five points over his last two games and three multi-point games.
 
Mathew Barzal has been held without a goal for nine straight games and has just three assists in that time. Barzal was also a minus-3 against the Flyers on Sunday.
 
Goalie Matchup
37 Brian Elliott 1 Thomas Greiss
21 GP, 9-8-1, 2.65 GAA, .916 SV% 35 GP, 19-10-2, 2.22 GAA, .928 SV%

Brian Elliott lasted only 4:18 into the second period before being pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots to the Capitals on Wednesday. Despite that, he gets back into the net for Saturday's game against the Islanders. Elliott made 29 saves in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Islanders.

Thomas Greiss entered in relief in Sunday's game and allowed one goal on 13 shots in the 4-1 loss. Greiss started the last game against Ottawa with an injury to Robin Lehner, making 35 saves in a 4-2 win.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Carter Hart, Michal Neuvirth

Scratches: Andrew MacDonald, Sam Morin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
23 Oskar Lindblom 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
25 James van Riemsdyk 19 Nolan Patrick 28 Claude Giroux
12 Michael Raffl 21 Scott Laughton 11 Travis Konecny
44 Phil Varone 10 Corban Knight 38 Ryan Hartman
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 61 Phil Myers  
8 Robert Hagg 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
37 Brian Elliott    

Lineup Notes

Jake Voracek is back in and so is Nolan Patrick. Andrew MacDonald will come out of the lineup as the Flyers go back to a 12-forward, six-defensemen lineup.

Islanders Projected Lineup

Injuries: Robin Lehner, Cal Clutterbuck

Scratches: Ross Johnston, Andrew Ladd, Thomas Hickey, Luca Sbisa, Dennis Seidenberg

Left Wing Center Right Wing
27 Anders Lee 29 Brock Nelson  12 Josh Bailey
18 Anthony Beauvillier  13 Mathew Barzal 28 Michael Dal Colle
14 Tom Kuhnhackl 51 Valtteri Filppula 7 Jordan Eberle
17 Matt Martin 53 Casey Cizikas  47 Leo Komarov
Defense    
2 Nick Leddy 24 Scott Mayfield  
3 Adam Pelech 6 Ryan Pulock  
25 Devon Toews 55 Johnny Boychuk  
Goalie    
1 Thomas Greiss    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (T-19th, T-27th on road), Islanders (26th, 27th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (27th, 24th on road), Islanders (T-14th, T-20th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Islanders
    • Oct. 27, 2018 – Islanders 6, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
    • March 3, 2019 – Flyers 4, Islanders 1 (at NYI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Islanders 
    • Claude Giroux – 47 GP, 17 G, 34 A, 51 P
    • Jake Voracek – 37 GP, 5 G, 24 A, 29 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 32 GP, 10 G, 14 A, 24 P
    • Brian Elliott – 15 GP, 7-1-6, 2.67 GAA, .910 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Jake Voracek needs two points to reach 500 as a Flyer.

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