3 Takeaways: Isles Win Streak Snapped in 3-1 Loss to Flyers

The New York Islanders four-game winning streak and the Philadelphia Flyers 10-game winless streak each met their end on Tuesday night, as the Isles dropped a 3-1 decision to the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
Noah Dobson had the Islanders up 1-0 early on a power-play goal, but the Flyers scored three unanswered goals from Travis Sanheim (SHG) and Kevin Hayes. The regulation loss to the Flyers was only the Islanders third in their last 18 games against their Metropolitan Division rivals (13-3-2).

"I give them credit," Head Coach Lane Lambert said of the Flyers. "Structured team, they take away time and space. We didn't do enough to create opportunities for ourselves."

ISLES CAN'T GET OFFENSE GOING IN LOSS TO FLYERS:

Tuesday's game picked up where Saturday's chippy affair left off, with Matt Martin and Zack MacEwen dropping the gloves seven seconds in, followed immediately by Ross Johnston and Nick Deslauriers. It both let out the steam that had built up between the teams and set a physical tone, as the Flyers outhit the Islanders 38-30 in another hard-hitting contest.
FLYERS 3, ISLANDERS 1
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Dobson Opens the Scoring
"You get the sense that after a game like the other night that it's going to be a physical one, especially against a team like Philly," Martin said. "It's just part of the job."
Dobson put the Islanders ahead 1-0 early in the first period, as the Islanders found themselves on a five-on-three power play early. The Isles PP, which had scored eight goals in the previous seven games, made quick work of the opportunity, moving the puck and feeding Dobson for the one-timer and the defenseman's seventh goal of the season.
The lead was short-lived, as Ryan Pulock blocked a pass on a Flyers shorthanded rush, but saw it deflect onto Sanheim's stick for a chip shot over Ilya Sorokin at 4:37. Hayes made it 2-1 with a wrister off a contested face-off in the Islanders zone at 9:45. Tuesday marked only the second time the Flyers had the lead after the first period.
From there, the Islanders had trouble generating offensive chances, accounting for only five high-danger chances at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. There were a few close calls, such as Scott Mayfield's shot off the post in the second period, as well as a quality look for Anthony Beauvillier in the third, but to no avail. The Islanders were limited to seven shots in the third period and had 19 shots blocked throughout the course of the game. Hayes iced the game with an empty-netter in the final minute.
"I just don't think we generated enough," Martin said. "We struggled to break out, struggled to sustain pressure and struggled to hold on to the puck, so I don't love our chances to win the game when you struggle in all those areas. But like I said, it wasn't from lack of effort."

BAILEY A LATE SCRATCH, CLUTTERBUCK LEAVES GAME:

Josh Bailey was a late scratch for Tuesday's game, missing the contest with an upper-body injury despite taking warmups and line rushes. Lambert did not have an update on Bailey after the game.
Simon Holmstrom, who appeared to be on the cusp of being scratched for Ross Johnston, filled in for Bailey alongside Mathew Barzal and Oliver Wahlstrom. Johnston played his first game since Nov. 17 and dropped the gloves for a spirited bout with heavyweight Nick Deslauriers eight seconds into the game.
Cal Clutterbuck left the game late in the first period and did not return, leaving the Islanders a man short for the final two periods. Lambert did not have an update on Clutterbuck's status after the game.
With Clutterbuck leaving the game, the Islanders were down three regulars, as Kyle Palmieri (upper-body) missed his fourth-straight contest. Lambert said Palmieri is still considered day to day.

NELSON'S 700TH GAME:

It was a milestone game for Brock Nelson, who became the 10th player in franchise history to play 700 regular season games with the Islanders.
For Nelson, whose NHL debut came on May 11, 2013 in a playoff game and didn't count towards his milestone, it's a sign of longevity. He joked that he's "halfway there" at 700 games played.
"It's not a major one, but it's still something that means you've been around for a bit, and been able to play," Nelson said. "I'm fortunate to be around the group, be in the NHL, which has always been a dream of mine, so maybe it's just a reminder to cherish every day."
Nelson's milestone is the latest representation of the long-term commitment Islanders players have made to the franchise. Josh Bailey (1,013 games), Matt Martin (708), Casey Cizikas (688), Anders Lee (620), Cal Clutterbuck (609) have all played at least 600 games with the Islanders. Adam Pelech (405) has six years remaining on his deal, while Mathew Barzal (386) will have his eight-year contract extension kick in next season.
"It's fun for us and guys get to know [each other] really well, traveling, playing and kind of going through life together," Nelson said. "Most guys now are at different spots in their life than they were when they came in so it's pretty fun to see the transition. A lot of memories on and off the ice."
Nelson picked up an assist in the contest, extending his point streak to three games (2G, 1A). For his career Nelson has 410 points (216G, 194A), 11th in team history in goals and 15th in points.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders are back in action on Friday night against the Nashville Predators at UBS Arena. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.