The Philadelphia Flyers come to Brooklyn on the tail end of a back-to-back and with five consecutive losses.
- New York Islanders (11-7-2, 24 points)
- Philadelphia Flyers (8-9-4, 20 points)
- Islanders well rested after three-day break
- Flyers on tail end of back-to-back lost last five straight
- MSG+, WRHU 88.7
This game has the word “trap” written all over it.
The Flyers enter Brooklyn as losers of their last five games, earning only two points in that span. With Michael Neuvirth starting last night against Vancouver, the Islanders will draw Brian Elliott, who is starting to find some flow over his last five games (.932 save percentage).
The Islanders have a clear advantage here, having last played Sunday and icing a well-rested squad vs. a mentally and physically tired Flyers team.
Coming off of a 4-2 loss in Raleigh, the Islanders have had a few days to collect themselves and reflect on the pros and cons of a mini road-trip over the weekend. Some lineup adjustments are penciled in for Doug Weight’s squad for tonight’s contest:
Unsurprising to most, Jaroslav Halak will be on the bench when the puck drops after another lacking effort on Sunday. Halak has seen his share of struggles this season on a team with no clear starter, despite Thomas Greiss taking the reins as the better option in the opportunities he’s had.
Alan Quine will come out of the lineup after playing four games. Despite only registering one assist, Quine’s strengths come on the faceoff and that will definitely be missed on a squad that ranks 28th overall in faceoff percentage at 47.1 percent.
Scott Mayfield will return to the lineup as well, likely after a less-than-favorable play from Ryan Pulock which helped cause the Hurricanes’ second goal of the game.
Nick Leddy is coming in hot, with two goals and six points through his last four games.
Puck drop is tonight at 7 p.m. ET on MSG+.