Flyers-Islanders: Game 45 Preview

Kevin Durso

April 18 2021

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Flyers were not just handed another loss on Saturday, but some of their younger players, many of which are about seeing where they are at season's end, were not able to play. Carter Hart didn't get the chance to build on his great start on Thursday. Tanner Laczynski and Nolan Patrick were not able to take the ice either.

The Flyers are left to press on, and they get to face another team right at the top of the East Division standings. Only 12 games remain in this season that continues to show just how much work the Flyers need. The Islanders come to town for one final matchup this season.

Game time is at 6:30 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	New York Islanders	GP	G	A	P
James van Riemsdyk	44	14	21	35	Mathew Barzal	44	13	25	38
Jake Voracek	41	8	25	33	Jordan Eberle	44	14	14	28
Claude Giroux	42	11	22	33	Brock Nelson	44	15	10	25
Sean Couturier	33	13	18	31	Josh Bailey	43	6	19	25
Joel Farabee	43	15	16	31	Nick Leddy	44	1	24	25

It's a special night for Oskar Lindblom, who will be honored as part of Hockey Fights Cancer night festivities. It would be only fitting if he made an impact on the game with a goal as well, especially after successfully completing his fight against cancer just a few months ago.

Mathew Barzal has been held off the scoresheet of late, going seven straight games without a goal since recording a hat trick against the Capitals on April 1. Barzal is always a dangerous player and could easily put his stamp on this game and snap out of his scoring slump.

With Hart still dealing with injury, Brian Elliott gets his scheduled start with Alex Lyon set to back up. Elliott was on the hook for all six goals in a 6-1 loss to Washington earlier in the week.

Semyon Varlamov is expected to be in goal for the Islanders. Since recording a shutout against the Capitals on April 6, Varlamov has lost his last two starts, allowing three goals in each.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Morgan Frost (injury), Carter Hart (injury), Tanner Laczynski (injury), Nolan Patrick (injury), Robert Hagg (healthy)

Islanders Scratches: Josh Bailey (injury), Cal Clutterbuck (injury), Sebastian Aho (healthy), Cory Schneider (healthy), Noah Dobson (healthy), Ross Johnston (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: The Flyers are expected to use a similar lineup to Saturday's game with several players battling some injuries.
Islanders: The Islanders will be without Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck due to injury.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (20th), Islanders (23rd)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th), Islanders (10th)
Recent History vs. Islanders
- Jan. 30, 2021 – Flyers 3, Islanders 2 (F/OT) (at PHI)
- Jan. 31, 2021 – Flyers 4, Islanders 3 (F/OT) (at PHI)
- March 18, 2021 – Flyers 4, Islanders 3 (at NYI)
- March 20, 2021 – Islanders 6, Flyers 1 (at NYI)
- March 22, 2021 – Islanders 2, Flyers 1 (F/OT) (at PHI)
- April 3, 2021 – Islanders 3, Flyers 2 (F/SO) (at NYI)
- April 8, 2021 – Islanders 3, Flyers 2 (F/SO) (at NYI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Islanders
- Claude Giroux – 59 GP, 21 G, 43 A, 64 P
- Jake Voracek – 49 GP, 9 G, 30 A, 39 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 44 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 P
- Brian Elliott – 21 GP, 9-2-8, 2.61 GAA, .911 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Claude Giroux needs two power-play goals to pass Eric Lindros for 8th all-time in Flyers history.
- Claude Giroux needs two points to pass Brian Propp for 3rd all-time in Flyers history.