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Islanders host Flyers in Atlantic Division battle

Mar 1, 2008 - 11:29 AM Philadelphia (32-25-7) at Ny Islanders (31-27-7) 2:00 pm EST

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Usually when a game features two teams trying to stay out of last place in the division, it does not have much impact on the playoff picture.

That will not be the case Saturday afternoon, when the New York Islanders host the Philadelphia Flyers in a battle of Atlantic Division rivals.

Despite sitting in last place in the division, the Islanders trail the Flyers by just two points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

New York won the most recent matchup between the clubs on February 12, when Trent Hunter scored a goal and set up two others in a 4-3 triumph. Philadelphia, however, won the first three meetings of the campaign.

This is the first of four meetings between the rivals during the month of March.

The Flyers have followed their embarrassing 10-game winless streak with back-to-back wins over the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on Monday and Thursday, respectively.

Mike Knuble scored twice in the third period Thursday to lead Philadelphia to a 3-1 triumph. Knuble has 24 goals - including a team-leading 14 on the power play - and 44 points this season.