Dejected fan holding empty Flyers jersey with disappointed bench and Flyers logo on ice.

Flyers Fall 4-0 to Islanders, Miss Playoff Push

At a Glance

  • Flyers lose 4-0 to the New York Islanders at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
  • The loss drops the Flyers’ record to 24-18-9, four points behind the Islanders’ 28-19-6 for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
  • A strong road trip, capped by a 7-3 win over the Avalanche, ends in disappointment.

Why it matters: The defeat stalls the Flyers’ momentum and keeps them out of the playoff picture.

The Flyers entered Monday night with high expectations after a 2-0-1 road trip that included a decisive 7-3 victory over the NHL-best Avalanche. They had two days of rest and a canceled Sunday practice due to a snowstorm, yet the team failed to translate that energy into a win against the New York Islanders. The 4-0 loss leaves the Flyers four points behind the Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Game Overview

The Islanders opened the game with a power-play goal that set the tone. Flyers’ goaltender Samuel Ersson, in his fourth straight start, stopped 19 of 23 shots but could not prevent the early deficit. The Islanders extended their lead to 3-0 in the second period, scoring on a redirection by Mathew Barzal and a power-play goal from former Flyer Tony DeAngelo. The third period saw the Islanders add a second power-play goal from Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who had already scored in the first.

Key Moments

  • First-period power-play goal: The Islanders’ power play gave up the opening goal, a moment that set a negative tone for the Flyers.
  • Second-period surge: Barzal’s redirection and DeAngelo’s power-play goal widened the gap to 3-0.
  • Third-period finish: Pageau added a second goal, sealing the 4-0 victory.

The Flyers’ power play, ranked 27th in the league, went 0 for 3 and even surrendered a shorthanded goal at the start of the game. This offensive struggle compounded the defensive issues that led to the shutout.

Player Performance

Player Team Role Key Stats
Samuel Ersson Flyers Goaltender 19 saves on 23 shots
Ilya Sorokin Islanders Goaltender 21 saves, 0 goals
Jean-Gabriel Pageau Islanders Forward 2 goals
Mathew Barzal Islanders Forward 1 goal
Tony DeAngelo Islanders Forward 1 goal

Ilya Sorokin’s performance was a highlight for the Islanders, stopping all 21 shots. This win marked his 12th career victory over the Flyers, and his lifetime stats against them include a 1.61 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage.

Injuries and Roster Moves

Flyers player raising stick above net with puck sliding into goal and Islanders sticks scattered
  • Dan Vladar remains out for a sixth straight game due to a lower-body injury but is close to returning.
  • Rasmus Ristolainen returned to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury and played for Noah Juulsen.
  • The Flyers loaned Hunter McDonald back to their AHL affiliate, Lehigh Valley, to make room on the roster.

Aftermath and Next Game

The Flyers’ record now stands at 24-18-9, and they are four points behind the Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division. They have won consecutive games only once since the calendar turned to 2026, underscoring a lack of consistency.

The team will return to action Wednesday night, facing the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 p.m. ET/TNT. The Flyers aim to regroup and re-establish their momentum after the disappointing loss.

Key Takeaways

  • The Flyers’ loss to the Islanders drops them to 24-18-9, four points behind the 28-19-6 Islanders.
  • A 4-0 shutout, combined with a poor power-play performance, highlights offensive struggles.
  • Injuries and roster adjustments continue to impact the Flyers’ lineup.
  • The upcoming game against the Blue Jackets offers a chance to reset and move closer to the playoff threshold.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Flyers’ recent game, player performances, and implications for the remainder of the season.

Author

  • I’m Robert K. Lawson, a technology journalist covering how innovation, digital policy, and emerging technologies are reshaping businesses, government, and daily life.

    Robert K. Lawson became a journalist after spotting a zoning story gone wrong. A Penn State grad, he now covers Philadelphia City Hall’s hidden machinery—permits, budgets, and bureaucracy—for Newsofphiladelphia.com, turning data and documents into accountability reporting.

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