PREMIUM
Rogers' NHL PLAY OF THE DAY ($20 Tuesday!) >> 100% in April! PERFECT 9-0!
(NHL) Philadelphia vs. NY Islanders,
Money Line: -160.00 Philadelphia (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -160.00 Philadelphia (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Philadelphia Flyers missed the playoffs in 2016-17 but an eight-game point streak (5-0-3) has them on the cusp of returning to "extended hockey" this season. Captain Claude Giroux capped a two-goal performance by scoring on a breakaway with 1:21 remaining in overtime of Sunday's 4-3 win over Boston, moving 40-25-14, 94 points) Philadelphia within two points of second-place Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division, while residing behind Columbus based on the fourth tiebreaker. However, Philly is all but assured at least a wild card spot. The Flyers head into the last road game of their season on Tuesday to take on the 32-37-10 NY Islanders. New York sits in the 'basement' of the Metropolitan Division but didn't do Philadelphia any favors on Saturday when it dropped a 4-3 decision to New Jersey (the Devils have 93 points, with both Philly and NJ having three games remaining)
Philadelphia: Giroux has posted career highs in goals (29) and points (95), while Jakub Voracek checks in with 82 points. Couturier leads the team with 31 goals.The 21-year-old Travis Konecny has scored six times in his last eight games and his 24th goal is the most by a Flyers player 21-or-younger since Simon Gagne netted 33 at age 21 in 2001-02. Goalie Petr Mrazek is expected to start in net. He has served as the closest thing the Flyers have had to a No. 1 goalie in the 25 games since Brian Elliott suffered a core muscle injury on Feb. 10. Mrazek improved to 6-5-3 in that span with 36 saves Sunday. Elliott practiced Monday and is expected to play before the regular season ends this weekend so Philadelphia can get an idea if he can start in the playoffs.
NY Islanders: Rookie Mathew Barzal reached the 20-goal total on March 20 and has set up four tallies in his last six games to boost his season total to a team-leading 59 assists, to go along with goals. Captain John Tavares owns a club-best 81 points ( 34 goals) with Anders Lee owning a team-high 39 goals. Anthony Beauvillier has scored in three straight contests and five times in his last six, to creep within one of the 20-goal plateau. Jaroslav Halak has been the goalie of record in 32 of the Islanders' 44 games since the Christmas break but he is a free agent at the end of the season and unlikely to return to New York, which is on pace to lead the NHL in goals allowed and has just one goalie, Thomas Greiss, under contract for next season.
The pick: New York's 31st-ranked penalty kill unit (just 74.1%) has permitted seven power-play goals in the last six games. The Isles allow more shots on goal (35.6 per) than any NHL team and also allow more goals (3.61 per), which seems to make sense. The Flyers have plenty to play for here, are a solid 20-12-8 on the road this season and should have little trouble picking up two points vs. an Islanders team that is 3-12-4 over its last 19. Make Philly an 8* play.
Philadelphia: Giroux has posted career highs in goals (29) and points (95), while Jakub Voracek checks in with 82 points. Couturier leads the team with 31 goals.The 21-year-old Travis Konecny has scored six times in his last eight games and his 24th goal is the most by a Flyers player 21-or-younger since Simon Gagne netted 33 at age 21 in 2001-02. Goalie Petr Mrazek is expected to start in net. He has served as the closest thing the Flyers have had to a No. 1 goalie in the 25 games since Brian Elliott suffered a core muscle injury on Feb. 10. Mrazek improved to 6-5-3 in that span with 36 saves Sunday. Elliott practiced Monday and is expected to play before the regular season ends this weekend so Philadelphia can get an idea if he can start in the playoffs.
NY Islanders: Rookie Mathew Barzal reached the 20-goal total on March 20 and has set up four tallies in his last six games to boost his season total to a team-leading 59 assists, to go along with goals. Captain John Tavares owns a club-best 81 points ( 34 goals) with Anders Lee owning a team-high 39 goals. Anthony Beauvillier has scored in three straight contests and five times in his last six, to creep within one of the 20-goal plateau. Jaroslav Halak has been the goalie of record in 32 of the Islanders' 44 games since the Christmas break but he is a free agent at the end of the season and unlikely to return to New York, which is on pace to lead the NHL in goals allowed and has just one goalie, Thomas Greiss, under contract for next season.
The pick: New York's 31st-ranked penalty kill unit (just 74.1%) has permitted seven power-play goals in the last six games. The Isles allow more shots on goal (35.6 per) than any NHL team and also allow more goals (3.61 per), which seems to make sense. The Flyers have plenty to play for here, are a solid 20-12-8 on the road this season and should have little trouble picking up two points vs. an Islanders team that is 3-12-4 over its last 19. Make Philly an 8* play.
