Philadelphia Flyers look to make short work of struggling Islanders - NHL Preview
Philadelphia Flyers will look for two easy points on Thursday, March 15, 2012 against a struggling New York Islanders as they visit the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Flyers, have won six games in a row when goaltender, Ilya Bryzgalov, has been in front of the net with the goaltender shutting out opponents in three consecutive games.
He will be looking to make it four in a row against a poor New York Islanders team who are on a four-game skid.
Philadelphia’s brilliant results discounting a 4-1 defeat to the New Jersey Devils on the road when Bryzgalov was rested, has been amazing and they will be looking for another two points to lift themselves into fourth in the Eastern Conference and secure
home ice advantage in the playoffs.
The Flyers are currently fifth with 87-points just two behind fourth placed Pittsburgh Penguins.
New York Islanders on the other hand are struggling for form.
The Islanders are just tied for bottom in the Eastern Conference on points with Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.
They are currently 14th in the Eastern Conference with 67-points and will likely be an easy target for the Flyers whose offence is surging in the business end of the season.
Flyers (40-22-7, 87 pts)
With goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov returning back in front of the net against Islanders, Philadelphia will be highly confident of emerging with all two points available.
The goaltender is also looking for a fourth straight shutout and with the Islanders struggling to score, Bryzgalov has a chance to do just that.
The Flyers won their last game with a 3-0 margin after a dominant performance at home ice against New Jersey Devils who were shutout.
Bryzgalov got his third consecutive shutout and has not been beaten for an amazing 196:13 minutes.
The goaltender though refused to discuss his streak with the media after the game and praised the team’s performance.
"I think we have unbelievable game tonight. Start to finish, all 60 minutes."
Islanders (28-31-11, 67 pts)
New York on the other hand are on a long losing streak and have nothing left to play for in the season with a playoff spot definitely out of their reach.
The Islanders have had a torrid last four games and even though they came close the last two times against Eastern Conference leaders New York Rangers and eighth placed Washington Capitals they were not able to turn their good performance into two points.
They will face another tough game against Philadelphia and it is hard to see them win even at home ice.
Predictions
Philadelphia will gain another big win on Thursday.
The Islanders will face trouble beating Bryzgalov and Philadelphia might score three or more goals.
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