Flyers-Islanders Preview: Back in Action

Following the All-Star Game and the week-long bye, the Flyers are back on the ice to start the remaining 31 games of their 2022-23 schedule on Monday night. The team is six points out of a playoff spot as play resumes, but has five teams to pass in the standings to be in the playoff picture, certainly a longshot.

One of those teams is their opponent on Monday night, the New York Islanders, who have been in the news lately for a new acquisition expected to aid in their own playoff push.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New York Islanders	GP	G	A	P
Travis Konecny	45	24	25	49	Brock Nelson	52	19	27	46
Kevin Hayes	50	15	30	45	Mathew Barzal	51	12	31	43
Tony DeAngelo	46	9	21	30	Anders Lee	52	19	16	35
Scott Laughton	47	12	17	29	Noah Dobson	48	10	17	27
Owen Tippett	46	14	14	28	Jean-Gabriel Pageau	52	10	17	27

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Noah Cates closed out the previous week strong with a two-point game in the Flyers win over Winnipeg. He has goals in three of his last five games and added two assists in that time, after scoring just one ogal in the previous eight games.

All eyes will be on the Islanders newest acquisition. Bo Horvat was acquired in a trade last Monday and signed an eight-year contract extension on Sunday. He makes his Islanders debut after representing the Vancouver Canucks in the All-Star Game this weekend. Horvat's final game with the Canucks featured a four-assist performance.

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Carter Hart is expected to get the start for the Flyers. Hart was stellar in his last start, making 40 saves in a shutout win over the Jets on Jan. 28.

Semyon Varlamov is expected to start for the Islanders. Varlamov got the start in the Islanders last game, making 45 saves on 46 shots in a win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 28. That win snapped a personal three-game losing streak for Varlamov. Varlamov was also in net for the Islanders win over the Flyers on Nov. 26, making 26 saves on 28 shots.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Lines

Flyers Scratches: Sean Couturier (injury), Tanner Laczynski (injury), Zack MacEwen (injury), Justin Braun (healthy)

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Islanders Scratches: Cal Clutterbuck (injury), Oliver Wahlstrom (injury), Ross Johnston (healthy), Parker Wotherspoon (healthy), Samuel Bolduc (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Wade Allison makes his return to the lineup after missing the previous game. Justin Braun comes out of the lineup as a result.
Islanders: Horvat's debut shuffles the lines a bit for the Islanders. Both Hudson Fasching and Noah Dobson are considered game-time decisions, but it appears they will play based on the morning skate.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (29th), Islanders (32nd)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (18th), Islanders (4th)
Recent History vs. Islanders
- Nov. 29, 2022 - Flyers 3, Islanders 1 (at PHI)
- Nov. 26, 2022 - Islanders 5, Flyers 2 (at NYI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Islanders
- Kevin Hayes: 35 GP, 12 G, 7 A, 19 P
- James van Riemsdyk: 49 GP, 12 G, 23 A, 35 P
- Travis Konecny: 25 GP, 8 G, 8 A, 16 P
- Carter Hart: 10 GP, 4-3-3, 2.98 GAA, .890 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Sanheim needs two assists to reach 100 of his career.