The New York Islanders had it rough last week, when they were absorbed back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens. But with the Habs now in their rear view mirrors, the Islanders can pick up the pieces with a home game against the stumbling Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers, however, did score a rare win on Monday, when they beat the Carolina Hurricanes at home.
Read on for more about this matchup. For more game previews, you can click here for our breakdown of tonight’s NBA matchup between the Heat and the Pistons.
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Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Islanders Betting Preview
[sc:NHL240 ]For the first time in three games, the offensively inept Flyers finally scored a goal on Monday, when they also broke a three-game skid with a 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Flyers have been a mess on both sides of the ice for most part of the season. Before their win against the ‘Canes, the Flyers have just one regulation win in their previous 16 games. They’re tied for last in the league in scoring with a measly 1.76 goals for per game average.
Conspicuously missing from Philadelphia’s offense was last season’s team point-leader Jakub Voracek. Voracek scored 22 goals last season, but only has one to show thus far this campaign. Voracek will have to step up, as team captain Claude Giroux can’t do it all alone. Giroux is the brightest spot in Philly’s roster, as the center paces the team with seven goals and nine assists. He had one goal and two assists in the Carolina game.
Apart from their offense, the Flyers also need their defense to be at its absolute best later tonight, as they’ll be up against a potent New York offense that scores 2.8 goals per game. While goalie Steve Mason is the usual starter in between the pipes, coach Dave Hakstol may tap the service of backup Michal Neuvirth anew. Neuvirth has been the better netminder of the two, compiling a 4-3-1 record with league top seven numbers of 2.07 GAA and .939 SV%.
Coming off two-straight losses to Montreal, the Islanders now look to avoid suffering a three-game skid for the first time this season when they host Philadelphia.
The Islanders last two losses were against conference-leader Montreal, which dealt New York a 5-3 loss on Friday and a 4-2 setback on Sunday. New York’s defense was a bit of a letdown for the team in those defeats, particularly in the latter, wherein the Islanders allowed the Habs to score three power play goals. Philadelphia’s not as potent as Montreal on offense, as the Flyers are just 30th both in goals per game and power play conversions, so Jaroslav Halak should have an easier time defending later tonight. That said, the Islanders, who are 11th in goals against, have given up six power play goals over their last four games.
Halak is likely to be back in front of the net tonight after ceding the role to Thomas Greiss the last time out. Halak actually started in Friday’s loss to Montreal, but three quick goals allowed had him replaced by Greiss. Halak is 5-4-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .919 SV% on the season. Furthermore, the Islanders are 4-1 in Halak’s last five starts against Philadelphia.
The Islanders’ offense, meanwhile, could be in for a big night, as John Tavares and company will be up against Philly’s shaky defense that allows 2.9 goals per game. Conversely, the Islanders are scoring 2.8 per game this season and 3.5 over their last four games. Tavares leads the team with 10 goals and nine assists.
