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Flyers-Islanders Preview

Mar 31, 2010 - 5:50 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Philadelphia (38-32-6) at New York (31-35-10), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Philadelphia Flyers snapped out of a five-game funk with a convincing victory over one of the Eastern Conference's top teams their last time out, giving them two key points in their playoff quest.

Failing to come away with two more against the New York Islanders would be nothing short of shocking.

The Flyers have won 15 consecutive games against the Islanders, and they'll be eager to continue the NHL's longest current run of dominance over one opponent when the teams wrap up their season series Thursday night on Long Island.

It's not surprising that Philadelphia (38-32-6) has played well in recent years against the Islanders (31-35-10), who are on their way to a third straight last-place finish in the Atlantic Division.

Philadelphia has outscored New York 51-25 since beginning the run March 1, 2008, and 15-7 in winning five meetings this season.

"They put their equipment on. They put their jerseys on," Islanders goaltender Dwayne Roloson said after watching his team blow a two-goal lead and lose 3-2 in Philadelphia on March 9. "They play the game just like we do, so we can't mentally or physically worry about what they have done in the past."

Just a few days ago, Thursday's meeting seemed like a prime opportunity for New York to end the streak - which is two shy of the longest run by one team over another in NHL history, set when Boston beat Ottawa 17 straight times Oct. 12, 1993-Nov. 9, 1995. The Flyers had dropped five straight and seemed to be watching their playoff hopes slip away before Sunday's visit from New Jersey.

The Islanders aren't the only division rival whose number the Flyers have had this season, though. They improved to 5-1-0 against the Devils with a 5-1 victory, giving them two critical points in what's shaping up as a five-team race for the East's final three playoff spots.

Captain Mike Richards didn't record a point for the fourth straight game but seemed to help light a fire under his teammates in a pregame meeting.

"I think it was the leaders getting together, stepping up and saying that I think everyone was focusing on the big picture," Richards said. "Prongs (Chris Pronger), Kimmo (Timonen) and (Simon) Gagne, we all thought that and wanted to settle everything down. You kind of get lost in the mix sometimes, and you need to focus on game by game."

The Islanders fell to 6-13-1 against the Atlantic on Tuesday, blowing an early 2-0 lead and losing 4-3 to the Rangers.

Facing the Islanders might be just what Richards needs to get going. He has three goals and three assists in the five meetings this season.

New York catches a break, though, with Jeff Carter sidelined as he recovers from a broken foot. Philadelphia's leading goal scorer had four goals and three assists against New York this season and nine goals and seven assists during the 15-game winning streak.

The Flyers will also be without left wing Dan Carcillo, who was suspended two games for hitting New Jersey's David Clarkson with a high stick to the face Sunday.

It's unclear who will be in net for Philadelphia after Johan Backlund left Saturday's 4-1 loss at Pittsburgh - his first NHL start - with a groin injury.

If he can't go, Brian Boucher - 2-0-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average against New York this season - would start.