Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers proper wing Travis Konecny (11) reacts after scoring a aim in opposition to the Dallas Stars within the second interval at Xfinity Cell Enviornment. Obligatory Credit score: Kyle Ross-Imagn Photos The Philadelphia Flyers will look to inch nearer to a playoff spot once they go to the New York Islanders on Friday in Elmont, N.Y.
The Flyers (37-26-12, 86 factors) fell 4-2 to the visiting Detroit Purple Wings on Thursday, retaining them two factors again of the second wild card within the Jap Convention — a spot now held by the Ottawa Senators.
“Each recreation’s a must-win at this level,” stated ahead Travis Konecny, who leads the Flyers in objectives (27), assists (39) and factors (66). “We’re taking a look at (Friday), one other good staff we’re taking part in in opposition to, however this locker room right here, all of us imagine that we’re higher than any opponent we’re taking part in proper now.
“Robust to get the loss, however we’ve got all the boldness on the earth that we’ll hold taking part in good.”
It was Philadelphia’s second straight loss after profitable eight of its earlier 10 video games (8-1-1) to drag again into the thick of the playoff race. The staff put 34 photographs on aim in opposition to the Purple Wings but additionally missed the online 21 instances.
“We’re lacking the online approach an excessive amount of,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet stated. “It is change into an issue this yr. I like the trouble tonight. (Detroit) had a pair huge moments, they scored and we did not, and that is actually what it got here all the way down to. We had our probabilities. We simply did not put them in.”
Philadelphia has loved a stable highway document this season, going 20-13-4. 4 of its ultimate seven video games will probably be on opposing ice.
The Islanders (42-29-5, 89 factors), in the meantime, will goal to snap a two-game skid and pull inside a degree of second place within the Metropolitan Division. New York hasn’t performed since Tuesday, when it dropped a 4-3 resolution to the Buffalo Sabres. The Islanders enter Friday three factors behind the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins.
“We did some good issues (in opposition to Pittsburgh and Buffalo),” ahead Brayden Schenn stated. “We simply did not do sufficient good issues to win hockey video games. So being chased is all the time a factor. I do know groups have video games in hand on us now, however on the finish of the day, we’ve got to fret about controlling what we are able to, and that is profitable hockey video games.”
The Islanders are solely three factors forward of the Flyers, who’ve performed one fewer recreation. Offense has been a difficulty for coach Patrick Roy’s squad, which has scored greater than three objectives solely as soon as over its previous 11 video games – a 5-2 dwelling triumph in opposition to the Florida Panthers on March 28.
“It is tight on the market. There’s not a lot room,” Schenn stated. “… Factors are so essential and helpful. Everyone knows that. The best way to attain objectives is getting individuals and pucks to the online.”
They’re going to be hoping a robust dwelling document will help them bounce again as they appear to tighten their maintain on a playoff spot. The Islanders are 21-13-2 because the hosts and can play 5 of their ultimate six video games on their very own ice.
“It is large,” ahead Jean-Gabriel Pageau stated. “We have been on the highway a lot and the journey half, from what I’ve realized (from) expertise, it all the time catches up in direction of the tip of the yr. Simply to have that ultimate stretch at dwelling will probably be large for everybody.”
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