The Philadelphia Flyers are in the playoffs after a big 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. They’re already sure about their fate with a big date against President’s Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals. They’ll definitely want plenty of momentum ahead of that first round of the playoffs, starting with a date against the New York Islanders.
The Islanders are still uncertain as to who their playoff opponents would be. A win would give them a date against Pittsburgh, while a loss would have them taking on Atlantic leaders, the Florida Panthers. Getting momentum ahead of the playoffs will be very important.
Speaking of playoffs, there are just a few more games before the NBA enters the postseason. Catch one of the biggest games remaining with our complete preview for the Warriors vs. Spurs on Sunday night.
Saturday’s 3-1 home victory over Pittsburgh and a 6-1 loss by Boston secured the Philadelphia Flyers a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But they have a monumental task ahead of them—the President’s Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals. Ahead of their big playoff series against the Caps, the Flyers could get plenty of momentum by winning a second straight game against the New York Islanders on Sunday.
The Flyers will need to keep Wayne Simmonds going. He has amassed seven goals over his last seven games, including two on Saturday. He leads the team with 32 goals this season. He’ll have the luxury of skating with team captain Claude Giroux, who leads the team with 67 points and 45 assists.
Giroux may be more of a scoring threat in this matchup; he has three goals and an assist in the season series against the Islanders and six goals in the last seven matchups overall.
Philadelphia stands a good chance to win this matchup against a banged up Islanders squad. They have the firepower with Giroux and Simmonds in the frontline. They also have solid goaltending with Steve Mason playing so well against the Islanders. Mason is 2-1 with a 1.80 GAA and a .933 save percentage in four games against the Islanders.
The Flyers have won their last two games against New York.
Betting on the New York Islanders (26-26-10)
The New York Islanders still have their season finale to worry about, but the more immediate focus is for the team to get healthy ahead of the playoffs. The Islanders will be without Anders Lee due to a fractured fibula suffered in Thursday’s win over the Rangers, meanwhile goalie Jaroslav Halak and defenseman Travis Hamonic are uncertain for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Isles may also be without Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck due to minor injuries.
Nevertheless, the Isles remain a tough bunch. Thomas Greiss has shined filling in for Halak, winning four consecutive starts after a 36-save effort against the Rangers. They won’t also be without some firepower with John Tavares looking in great form ahead of the first round of the playoffs. He scored in his fourth straight game on Saturday. He has six goals and five assists over his last six games.
Tavares won’t be without some help as well. Alan Quine and Scott Mayfield recorded their first NHL goals playing in a makeshift Isles lineup on Saturday. Expect them to get more time on ice on Sunday against the Flyers. The Isles will also have Kyle Okposo, whose scoring output this season is just five points shy of Tavares’ team-high 69.
The Isles have won four of their last six at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Flyers have their way against a depleted Isles lineup.
