The New York Islanders got their offense going on Saturday, scoring four goals and earning a much-needed two points in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. 

Josh Bailey scored two goals in a 1:23 span to break open a 2-2 tie late in the third period, as the Isles halted their two-game losing streak. Brock Nelson and Nick Leddy also scored for the Islanders (93 points), who moved within one point of the Washington Capitals (94 points) for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

"I felt it was important to go back to the group that you sort of challenge a little bit," Head Coach Barry Trotz said of only making one lineup change after two shutout losses. "I liked our response about stepping up to the plate here and getting it done. That says a lot about the group, a lot about our character and hopefully it gives us some confidence."

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (42-25-7) AT PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (36-30-8)

1 PM | WELLS FARGO CENTER

WATCH: MSG+ | MSG GO | NHL NETWORK | NHL.TV

LISTEN: 88.7FM WRHU | 103.9FM LI NEWS | RADIO.COM/ISLANDERS

SEASON SERIES: NYI TRAILS 1-2-0

The Flyers and Islanders last met on March 9, as Philadelphia grabbed a 5-2 victory on Long Island. The Flyers countered the Islanders early 1-0 lead with five unanswered goals of their own, including four over the span of 10:15. Johnny Boychuk left the game 5:41 into the third period and sustained an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Jakub Voracek, who was subsequently suspended for two games. Boychuk has since missed two games and has been a healthy scratch for four games. 

The road team has won all three meetings this season, as the Islanders won 6-1 at Wells Fargo Center on October 27, while the Flyers won both meetings at NYCB Live.

There were two strikes against the Islanders as they prepared to enter the playoffs in the spring of 1980.

Each had a dateline and a tagline.

* APRIL 29, 1978: Losing the quarter-final playoff round to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Seven at the Coliseum.

* MAY 8,1979: Losing the semi-final playoff round to the New York Rangers in Game Six at Madison Square Garden.

The Skinny - Game 74
Montreal 4, Isles 0

Joel Armia's goal with seven seconds to play in the first period was followed by three Montreal goals in the first 8:19 of the second as the Canadiens handed the Isles their second straight shutout with a 4-0 victory over the Isles before a sellout crowd of 21,302 at Bell Centre. 

Carey Price made 28 saves for his 44th career shutout; it was his second career shutout against the Isles. Price has won a franchise-record 317 games for Montreal.

The loss leaves the Isles three points behind idle Washington; Pittsburgh beat Nashville in a shootout to join the Isles at 91 points (the Isles have a game-in-hand on Pittsburgh). 

The Isles' magic number to clinch a playoff spot fell to 10 when Columbus lost to Edmonton. 

The New York Islanders were shut out for a second straight game on Thursday, falling 4-0 to the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. 

Carey Price made 28 saves, while Montreal scored four goals in an 8:26, spanning the end of the first period and start of the second, sending the Isles to consecutive shutout losses for the first time since Nov. 19-21, 2011. 

The New York Islanders take on the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night at Centre Bell at 7:30 p.m. Watch on MSG+, MSG GO or NHL.TV. Listen live on 88.7FM WRHU, 103.9FM LI News or online at radio.com/islanders. Read the game preview. Check the game notes.

LINEUP NOTES: 

Barry Trotz did not officially announce his lineup for Thursday's game, citing a few game-time decisions. Thomas Greiss was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate. 

The New York Islanders announced today that defenseman Grant Hutton has agreed to terms on a one-year, entry-level contract beginning in 2019-20.  

Hutton, 23, played four years of college hockey at Miami University of Ohio. The 6'3, 209-pound defenseman served as team captain this past season, his senior year, and led all RedHawks defensemen with seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 37 games. 

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (42-24-7) AT MONTREAL CANADIENS (38-28-7)

7:30 PM | CENTRE BELL 

WATCH: MSG+ | MSG GO | NHL.TV

LISTEN: 88.7FM WRHU | 103.9FM LI NEWS | RADIO.COM/ISLANDERS

MORNING SKATE UPDATES | GAME NOTES

SEASON SERIES: NYI LEAD 1-0-1

The Isles and Canadiens meet for the second time over the span of one week after the Islanders defeated Montreal 2-1 on March 14. Anders Lee scored a late goal with 2:57 remaining to lift the Isles over the Canadiens at NYCB Nassau Coliseum, while Montreal rallied from a 3-1 deficit to claim the 4-3 shootout victory over the Isles on Nov. 5 at Barclays Center. 

The Islanders are 4-2-1 in their last seven games against the Canadiens. 

With Valtteri Filppula expected to be out four weeks with an upper-body injury, the New York Islanders focus shifted to how they're going to replace the versatile center in the middle of a playoff push.

"It's got to be by committee," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "That's how we've done it all year. Whoever goes in that spot will have to just get it done. We've lost some guys for long periods of time... It is what it is. It's hockey. If someone goes down, it's next man up. Injuries are all a part of the sport. It's not an excuse. It's an opportunity."

The New York Islanders recalled Tanner Fritz from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. The transaction took place after the Islanders announced that forward Valtteri Filppula sustained an upper-body injury on March 19 and is expected to be out for four weeks. 

Fritz, a 5-foot-11, 192-pound center, has 37 points (12G, 25A) in his 57 games played for the Tigers this season, as well as one assist in four games with the Islanders. The Grand Prairie, Alberta native had seven points (3G, 4A) in 34 games with the Islanders last season.