1. KEEPING UP THE PACE
The Flyers continue to have one of the best records in the NHL over the last seven weeks, posting a 15-3-2 record, which is tied for the NHL lead in points (32) and in win percentage (.800)... Since that date, the Flyers have averaged 3.7 goals per-game and allowed 2.85 GPG, compared to before when they averaged a 2.68 GPG and allowed 3.55 GPG... Also since Jan. 14, they have scored the same amount of power-play goals (17) in 20 games than they have in the first 45 games prior to Jan. 14, going 17-for-133 (12.8%) prior to that day and 17-for-58 (29.3%) afterwards.
2. THE DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
The Islanders enter today's game having dropped four of their last six games (2-3-1)... Despite that, they lead the Metropolitan Division with 81 points, which is already more points than they had all of last year (80) when they finished second to last in the Division... They also lead the NHL for the fewest goals-against (148) and goals-against average (2.31) this season, compare to last season when they led the NHL for the most goals-against (293) and goals-against average (3.57).
3. IT'S BEEN A WHILE
It's just the second meeting of the season between the two division rivals and first in 128 days, since Oct. 27, when the Islanders earned a 6-1 win at the Wells Fargo Center... These teams will now play each other three times to wrap up the season series in a three-week span... The last four away games against the Islanders have all been decided by one goal, including three past regulation play... The Flyers also play their first game at Nassau Coliseum since Jan. 19, 2015 (L: 7-4) and have an all-time record of 54-55-15-4 there compared to a 4-2-1 mark since they left for Brooklyn.
4. THIS, THAT & THE OTHER
THIS: Claude Giroux is one point shy of recording 50 points against the Islanders and his 49 points (17g-32a) are the most points against the Islanders than any other NHL team... THAT: Islanders goalie Robin Lehner leads all netminders in both goals-against average (2.07) and save percentage (.931) who have played at least 25 games... THE OTHER: The Flyers have recorded five goals or more in six of their last 14 games, while the Islanders have posted five shutotus in their last 16 games and had 24 games this season allowing just one goal or fewer.
5. PLAYERS TO WATCH:
FLYERS (RW: #93 - Jakub Voracek)
Voracek enters tonight with a four-game point streak in which he has three multi-point games and nine points (3g-6a)... Voracek also has, by far, the most points this year against Metropolitan Division opponents, recording 25 points (7g-18a) in 18 Metro games, which leads the Flyers.
ISLANDERS (C: #13 - Mathew Barzal)
Barzal leads the team in points (52) and is two assists shy of 100 in just his second full season in the NHL... He had two assists in the first meeting against the Flyers in October and has recorded at least a point every time he has faced the Flyers in his NHL career, recording nine points (4g-5a) in five meetings.
