Flyers Snap Two-Game Losing Streak with Huge Win Against Islanders, Putting Them One Game Out Of A Playoff Spot
Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov (39) skates past New York Islanders goaltender llya Sorokin (30) after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
After two consecutive losses in regulation, the Flyers desperately needed a huge win in regulation against another team chasing for a playoff spot, as they headed to Long Island to take on the Islanders.
The Flyers once again continued their dominance during back-to-backs, winning their fifth straight game during the second half of those games, 4-1. This victory gives the Flyers three wins vs. the Islanders this season (two were in shootouts), putting them just one point out of the Metropolitan Division, and ties them with Columbus, Detroit, and Ottawa with 88 points for the last wild card.
For a team that felt defeated for almost 50 percent of the game, the hero has to go to Daniel Vladar. Just a few days after giving up five goals against Washington, he was fantastic behind the sticks, making terrific saves and denying the Islanders big opportunities when they had momentum. The Flyers also got great bounce-back games from Matvei Michkov and Travis Sanheim. Michkov scored his first goal in 12 games, and Sanheim also scored late to give the Flyers the dagger.
The Flyers dazzled in a fantastic first period. They were quick and aggressive. They outshot the Islanders 12-2 in the first alone, making their goalkeeper, Ilya Sorokin, work. It felt like he was a brick wall at first, until the Flyers finally broke through. Great defensive plays from Sanheim and Owen Tippett set up a passing sequence between the two, culminating in a breakthrough for Sorokin and a Tippett goal. His 28th goal of the season tied his career high.
After Alex Bump was scratched from the lineup last night vs. the Red Wings, he instantly made a difference, sniping a shot from 39 feet away to double the Flyers’ lead. He continues to show why he should be starting consistently and how he will make an impact with the other young Flyers wingers. Tyson Forester also made a fantastic backcheck, which could’ve been a New York goal. He has shown his impact over the last two games since he returned and is so vital to this team. Trevor Zegras also took a big hit late in the period and left the bench so quickly. By the time the buzzer ended, boos rang around the UBS Arena.
The Islanders controlled most of the second period, but not at the beginning. The Flyers extended their lead to three after Michkov’s shot was deflected off Sorokin, and he was able to backhand it in.
Then the Islanders started to gain control. They started creating more and more chances in the Flyers’ zone, and the defense was able to stop them from scoring, but didn’t make it easy whatsoever. Vladar was working a ton on the extra day of rest he had, making a fantastic glove save right after falling over.
But the Flyers continued to sag. They had the early energy in the first and start of the second, but it doesn’t turn into anything easy when you’re exhausted. Travis Konecny was called for a hooking penalty, which the Flyers killed, but they gave up a goal soon after to Jean-Gabriel Pageau, giving them some life. They continued to put pressure on throughout the rest of the period until the end. The Flyers were in a groove during the first 30 minutes of the game, but they showed their fatigue, which allowed the Isles to take advantage.
The Islanders started the third period as they did the second, creating more chances and shots on goal, with Vladar stopping them numerous times. There was also some bad refereeing in the beginning, with Michkov being sent to the box for a weak interference call that the Flyers killed, but when Sanheim gets tackled behind him, and interference isn’t called, it was very surprising to watch. Finally, the Flyers were able to get the puck out of their defensive zone, and just a few minutes later, they regained their three-goal lead.
Sanheim sniped one past Sorokin from a great pass from Michkov to give him his third point of the night. New York removed Sorokin from the game with eight minutes left while they controlled the puck in the Philadelphia zone for the remainder of the period. The Flyers tried to end it on an empty net, but it felt like defenseman Matthew Schaefer was in the net, as the 18-year-old was stopping every shot the Flyers could’ve used to end the game. Nonetheless, no one else scored after the goal by Sanheim as the Islanders threw in the white flag to make the final 4-1 to the Flyers.
Andrew Glover
Andrew is in his first year covering sports for Philly Sports Reports. He is a podcaster and a digital content creator. Right now, he is in his second semester at Temple University pursuing a degree in Media Studies and Production. He has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
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