New York @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 9, 2019 ) Philadelphia 5, NY Islanders 2

The New York Islanders have fallen into a second-place tie in the Metropolitan Division after dropping six of 11 contests in March, with two of those losses coming via three-goal setbacks to the rival Philadelphia Flyers. The Islanders aim to rebound after back-to-back shutouts when they play what could be a contentious battle against the host Flyers on Saturday afternoon.

New York defenseman Johnny Boychuk vowed retribution following a 5-2 setback to Philadelphia on March 9 after he was on the receiving end of a hit by Jakub Voracek, who was suspended two games for interference. The Islanders did not practice or address the media on Friday, one day after they followed up a 5-0 shellacking by Boston with a 4-0 setback to Montreal to mark consecutive shutout losses for the team for the first time since Nov. 19-21, 2011. While New York finds itself tied with Pittsburgh for second place in the Metro, Philadelphia has posted a 20-7-2 mark in its last 29 contests to keep its flickering postseason aspirations afloat. James van Riemsdyk scored in Thursday's 3-1 victory versus Chicago to extend his point streak to five games (six goals, one assist) as the Flyers moved within five points of the Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, NHL Network, MSG-Plus (New York), NBCS Philadelphia

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (42-25-7): While Boychuk has missed six straight games since proclaiming to Voracek that "I'm going to get you," fellow defenseman Thomas Hickey told reporters that New York needs to focus on a more important battle: the one on the scoreboard. "You look at the last six periods, we've been badly outplayed," said the 30-year-old Hickey, who has taken Boychuk's place in the lineup. "I think we've got to find a little more juice." Mathew Barzal has set up four goals against Philadelphia this season -- including two in the last meeting -- to boost his team-leading totals in assist (41) and points (58).

ABOUT THE FLYERS (36-30-8): Bernie Parent likes what he sees in celebrated rookie Carter Hart, with the Hall of Famer goaltender speaking glowingly to Philly.com about the 20-year-old's instincts. "He will drop to his knees sometimes to make a save, but if you watch him, he's right back up in position to get a rebound. I see nothing but sunshine for this kid -- that's for sure," said the 73-year-old Parent, who led the Flyers to Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975. Hart has turned aside 114 of 118 shots in his last three games (2-1-0).

OVERTIME

1. Philadelphia C Sean Couturier has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in the past 10 games, including a goal in each contest versus New York in that stretch.

2. Islanders captain Anders Lee recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in a 6-1 romp versus the Flyers on Oct. 27 before being held off the scoresheet in each of the last two encounters.

3. Philadelphia C Travis Konecny has scored in each of the last two meetings against New York.

PREDICTION: Islanders 3, Flyers 2