The Philadelphia Flyers (21-21-9) and their stifling penalty killing defense host the New York Islanders (25-22-5), one of the NHL’s weakest power play offenses, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday.New York is coming off a 2-1 overtime win over the Golden Knights on January 28.
The Islanders committed only two penalties in the game, holding Vegas without a power play goal. Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal each scored once for the Islanders. Semyon Varlamov saved an impressive 45 of 46 shots (.978%) in the win.
Philadelphia is playing the first of four games at home after a 4-0 win over the Jets on January 28, breaking a streak of three defeats in a row. Four players found the net for the Flyers. Carter Hart earned his first shutout of the season with 40 saves.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 3-1 victory for the Flyers in November. Kevin Hayes (2G 0A) and Lukas Sedlak (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Philadelphia. Noah Dobson scored New York’s only goal. Hart got the win, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 2.85 goals per game for the season, 25th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Flyers team that is allowing 3.16 goals a game (18th). Meanwhile, Philadelphia has found the net 2.78 times a game on average, 27th in the league, and the Islanders are allowing opponents to score 2.71 goals per game (8th).
The Islanders’ 15.54% power play percentage is the second-worst in the league, while Philadelphia’s 16.03% conversion rate ranks fourth-lowest. While poor on the power play, New York has been impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fifth-highest PK% at 83.12%. Philadelphia ranks 18th at 77.33%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Brock Nelson and Barzal have been the top skaters for the Islanders this season with 46 and 43 points. In the net, Ilya Sorokin (16-16-4) is New York’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.38 GAA and a .923% save percentage, second-best in the league.
Travis Konecny and Hayes lead the Flyers in scoring with 49 and 45 points, respectively. Konecny has 24 goals and 25 assists, while Hayes has 15 goals and 30 assists. Hart (15-14-8) is the top goalie for Philadelphia with a goals against average of 2.88. He has a save percentage of .911%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York has lost five in a row away from home this season. Philadelphia is looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss at Wells Fargo Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Islanders (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
