Game Recap: Philadelphia Flyers 3, New York Islanders 2

While the Islanders continued their hot streak against Detroit the other night, tonight was about continuing an abysmal streak against Philadelphia.

The Islanders (15-20-6) lost a tight one against Philadelphia on Thursday night by a final score of 3-2 in front of a crowd of 11,751 at the Nassau Coliseum. Whilst early the Flyers had a pretty clear advantage, the Islanders absolutely peppered Bobrovsky for the rest of the night. The Flyers scored 2 flukey goals - the first coming in the first period off a deflection in front of the net by Hartnell's leg that Nabokov could have done nothing about, the 2nd coming when Wayne Simmonds fired a shot at Nabokov who happened to take his leg off the post for a split second which allowed it to careen in off of his pad. Things were looking bad for the Islanders until 22 seconds into the 3rd, Kyle Okposo stayed consistent and netted his 10th of the year in front of traffic. Unfortunately, as things were coming down to the wire, Sean Couturier wristed an absolute blazer of a shot over Nabokov's shoulder with 1:30 remaining. The Islanders still pulled Nabokov and were able to get a late one by newly named All Star John Tavares, but it came too late and the Islanders went on to fall.

The team, as a whole, is looking better again. This is an always tough Philadelphia team that they put 35 shots on, and only allowed 22 against. Much like the Islanders' overtime loss a month back against Philly, the Islanders really did look like the better team but were beaten by a lack of luck and some stellar saves in the right time for Philadelphia.

Michael Grabner specifically had a great game. He had an early breakaway denied by a hook which led to a penalty shot, and that was denied, but he looked like his old self once again. He tied for the team lead in shots with 4 and drew another penalty in the 2nd period on a half-breakaway. He had one noteable breakaway in which he was clear in on Bobrovsky and absolutely robbed. If he keeps this up, he may find his way back up to the 2nd line with Parenteau and Nielsen, and would fit right back in.

Andrew MacDonald, Travis Hamonic and Steve Staios also had great games, with Staios laying a flat out punishing hit on Max Talbot in the 3rd that brought the crowd to their feet. Both AMac and Hamonic finished the game +2.

Obviously, always upsetting to lose a game like this, but the team worked extremely hard tonight and deserves credit for it. Against most goalies, work that was put in tonight would have resulted in a win, but Bobrovsky is a fantastic young goaltender and deserves credit for putting on a show tonight. The Islanders next face off against the Buffalo Sabres at the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday the 14th. Game time is 7 PM and will be on MSG+ HD. The Islanders are continuing their 70s/80s/90s/00s induction ceremony by inducting famed 1990's captain Pat Flatley into the Islanders Hall of Fame.