The New York Islanders are hot, hot, hot. Winning six in a row, the Long Island team now sit only four points out of a wild card spot.
In a critical Metropolitan matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Islanders controlled a demanding 3-0 shutout win.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
An early power play goal for Flyers’ Matvei Michkov was waived off for goaltender interference. It was ruled that Morgan Frost impeded Ilya Sorokin’s ability to defend his net, so a good challenge by Islanders’ head coach, Patrick Roy, left the game tied at zero.
About halfway through the second frame, a dump and chase play by the Islanders created a solid chance for Isles’ newcomer, Scott Perunovich, that was blocked by Sean Couturier. The rebound was gathered and passed over to Simon Holmstrom, who scored from the slot.
A giveaway by Bobby Brink late in the second allowed for Maxim Tsyplakov to pass up to Kyle MacLean, who had a good look at Philadelphia goaltender, Ivan Fedotov. Instead of taking the shot, MacLean passed across to Marc Gatcomb, who netted his first career NHL goal.
During a four-on-four, with just over ten minutes remaining in regulation, a great deke by Casey Cizikas distracted Flyers’ defenseman, Jamie Drysdale, which cleared a path for Kyle Palmieri—who was in the midst of a 15 game dry-spell—to snipe the puck over Fedotov’s left shoulder, securing the 3-0 lead for the Islanders.
Sorokin made 23 saves in the game, earning his third shutout of the 2024-25 season.
The Islanders are on their longest win-streak of the season, sitting at six wins in a row, five of which in regulation.
Can the Islanders continue this inspiring run, defy the odds, and make the playoffs? New York’s next two tests are in back-to-back games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, on Feb. 1 and 2, respectively.
