Flyers at Islanders
New York, NY – Both the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders are winners of consecutive games for the first time in more than a month
but neither team inspired much confidence after blowing a multiple-goal lead in the third period of its last contest.
Still, one of the struggling Atlantic Division rivals will emerge with a three-game winning streak after they meet on Long Island on Sunday, when Philadelphia will be try to beat the Islanders for a 13th straight time.
The Flyers’ post-Christmas near-collapse was the more profound of the two. Philadelphia led lowly Carolina 3-0 on Saturday following Danny Briere’s goal with 11:00 to play in the third period.
The Hurricanes began their comeback 24 seconds later, scoring three times on 20 third-period shots before Philadelphia (17-18-2) finally won 4-3 in a shootout.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Flyers –120 money line favorites for Sunday’s game against the Islanders. Current NHL Public Betting Information shows that 58% of more than 196 bets for this game have been placed on the Flyers -120.
"When you give up the next goal like that, it’s easy for the momentum to switch," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said. "And it did, and you could kind of feel it coming."
The Islanders (15-17-7) had a 2-0 edge going into the final 20 minutes Saturday against the New York Rangers, who tied it with a pair of Brandon Dubinsky goals. After assisting on both of his team’s goals in regulation, Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo scored his first goal since Nov. 14 to win it 3-2 in overtime.
Including a 3-1 victory over Toronto on Wednesday, the Islanders won back-to-back games for the first time since a four-game winning streak Oct. 28-Nov. 2. They also have scored at least three goals in consecutive contests for the first time since before Thanksgiving.
"Obviously huge for Kyle and a big goal for us," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said of the game-winner. "(The Rangers) were going pretty good in the third period, and I like the way our guys responded in overtime. They found a way to get that second point."
The Islanders had been outscored 35-14 during a 2-7-0 stretch earlier this month, and their power play is still just 1 for 30 (3.3 percent) in the last seven games.
Philadelphia has had possibly even bigger problems, sinking beneath New York into the division cellar following a 3-13-1 funk that included the firing of head coach John Stevens.
The Flyers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 win at Tampa Bay on Wednesday, and – despite their third-period stumble in Raleigh – have strung two wins together for the first time since Nov. 16-18.
In the midst of a six-game trip that’s their longest of the season, the Flyers have actually been better on the road lately, winning three of their last four.
They also have a decided edge in the recent series with the Islanders. Since a 4-3 loss at Nassau Coliseum on Feb. 12, 2008, the Flyers have outscored New York 44-21 in 12 consecutive wins.
"We don’t read too much into that stuff," Gordon said after his club lost 6-2 in Philadelphia on Dec. 8. "Every game is different: different players, different goalies."
Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux each scored two goals on Islanders goalie Martin Biron, their former teammate, in the matchup earlier this month.
Dwayne Roloson has seen the bulk of the action in net lately for the Islanders.
While Michael Leighton has earned back-to-back wins for Philadelphia, Brian Boucher could be back in the crease Sunday as the team continues to make do without injured starter Ray Emery.
Posted: 12/27/09 1:10AM ET