New York Islanders Continue Playoff Push Against Flyers

Jan 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss (1) defends his net in front of Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) during the first period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders head to Philadelphia this evening in the hopes of continuing their slow climb up the standings. The dwindling Flyers currently hold the last Wild Card spot. A win tonight would leave the Isles only 1 point out with two games in hand.

The Story So Far

The Islanders and Flyers have met twice this season with Philadelphia winning both games in overtime. One of those games the Islanders were starting an AHL goalie who lost in the shootout. The other time was 2 1/2 weeks ago when the Islanders blew a third period lead.

The Islanders have been out-shot 89-65 in the season series so far. They are 1/5 in the series on the man advantage while the Flyers are 1/8. In both games the Islanders outhit the Flyers. After tonight, the teams will meet one more time March 30th, also at the Wells Fargo Center.

Starting Lineup

Doug Weight confirmed this morning that the lineup will be the same with Thomas Greiss in net.

Lee -Tavares – Bailey

Beauvillier – Nelson – Strome

Ladd – Quine – Chimera

Prince – Cizikas – Kulemin

Leddy – Boychuk

De-Haan – Seidenberg

Hickey – Pelech

Injuries

For the Islanders, Cal Clutterbuck and Travis Hamonic are out with ongoing lower body injuries.

For the Flyers, Michael Del Zotto and rookie Travis Konecny are out with lower body injuries.

Feb 3, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Islanders left wing Josh Bailey (12) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Hot/Not

Islanders – Hot

Josh Bailey – 6 points (3 goals) in the last 3 games and 1 pt short of a ppg since start of January.

Anders Lee – 6 points in the last 3 games (5 assists) with 12 points in the last 10.

Brock Nelson – 4 game point streak (6 points) including 2 goals against Toronto, one of which was the game-winner. Also worth noting that with 30 pts Brock is the only forward in the top 4 scorers on the team that isn’t John Tavares or playing on a line with John Tavares.

Nick Leddy – 7 points in the last 8 games.

Ryan Strome – 6 pts last 4 games (let’s hope this is the Capuano effect wearing off as he has responded with back to back 2 pt games after duffing the ending of the Detroit game)

Andrew Ladd – 5 pts last 5 games (4 goals) Again, here’s hoping whatever nagging injury he was dealing with is on the mend.

Islanders – Not

Beauvillier – 1 pt in the last 9 games. One of the only people who hasn’t turned it on since Capuano was let go.

Seidenberg – 3 points in 16 games. Coming back down to earth after his piping hot start. Is it time to replace him with Pulock?

Boychuk – 2 points in last 10 games.

Thomas Greiss – Hasn’t been as sharp letting up 5 goals against in back to back games.

Nov 5, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michael Neuvirth (30) during the second period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Flyers – Hot

Michael Neuvirth – 1.6 GAA with .933 SV % over last 5 games. Unfortunately for them he’s day to day with an illness and Steve Mason will be starting tonight.

That is IT. It doesn’t help that the Flyers have been shut out in back to back games.

Flyers – Not

Jakub Voracek – 1 pt last 5 games for the team leader in points (45).

Claude Giroux – 1 pt last 5 games for the Captain and who is 2nd on the team in points (41).

Wayne Simmonds – 1 pt last 5 games for the 3rd scorer on the team (38).

Ivan Provorov – 20 yr old rookie held off the score sheet in the last 6 games.

Shayne Gostisbehere – 2 pts last 10 games. Back tonight coming off a healthy scratch.

Andrew MacDonald – The former Isles blueliner has 1 point in last 20 games with a 13 game pointless streak dating back to Jan 7. Not great for the 5th highest salary on the team (4.75 Mill this year).

Jan 31, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; The New York Islanders celebrate after defeating the Washington Capitals 3-2 at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to Victory

Remember How To Defend

The last 3 games, the Islanders defense has looked extremely lost in their own zone. Missed assignments, poor changes, and a lackadaisical attitude have hurt the team. This has led to three straight games of 5 goals against. The seven games before that they held opposition to 2 goals or less.

No Snowballs

Appropriate for today’s weather report, it is vital that the Islanders not let the game snowball out of control. Against Detroit and Carolina they let up three goals in a single period. In each of their last three games they’ve let up back to back goals within two minutes of each other. This young team has serious lapses in intensity and its up to Weight and the team’s vets to not swoon after something goes wrong.

Paging Mr. Greiss

Despite the defensive struggles Thomas Greiss needs to get his head on straight. Islanders management just rewarded him with a fine extension, showing confidence in him as a potential #1 goaltender. He needs to reward that confidence with a return to form soon or we’re all going to be writing articles about when Halak is coming back up.