Islanders vs Flyers Game One: Odds, Lineups, TV and more

The New York Islanders start their second-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at 7p.m. Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

For the second straight round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Islanders will go head to head with a Metropolitan Division foe. This time it’s the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Islanders are flying high after beating the Washington Capitals 4-0 on Thursday night. The Isles played lock down defense and gave the Capitals offense no room to breathe, en route to a 4-1 series win.

The Flyers are coming into today’s game after closing out their series with the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. The Flyers won Friday’s game 3-2, but were outplayed and outshot 33-17. Carter Hart played great and got the win in net.

This is a battle of two of the hottest playoff teams. Both teams have records of 7-2-0, and have been playing great hockey to be in this position. The Flyers went 3-0-0 in the round robin to secure the top seed in the east.

The Islanders have dominated the season series between these two foes. The Islanders are 3-0-0 against the Flyers this season. One of the Isles wins included a three goal third period comeback to tie the game and a two round shootout win.

Since the Islanders are the lower seed in this playoff series, they will be the away team for tonight’s game. This will allow the Flyers to play the favorable matchups they choose because they have the last change.

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

The Islanders come into today as the underdogs, courtesy of the Action network.

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Philly is the number one seed in the East, while the Islanders started the playoffs as the seventh seed. The Isles were always going to come into this series as the underdog.

The underdogs are a good play in this one. Last series, the Isles were undefeated (4-0) as the underdog. Also, as I mentioned above, the Islanders won all three games in the regular season against Philadelphia. This game will be tight and physical, but the Isles will stick to their gameplan.

I would play the underdogs in this one!

Projected Lineups

For the first time since game four of the qualifier series, the Islanders made some changes to their lineup. Ross Johnston came into the lineup for the injured Cal Clutterbuck and Michael Dal Colle replaced Derick Brassard, who was scratched.

These lineup changes paid off as the Isles won 4-0, but a new series brings new matchups. The Islanders have a full healthy roster heading into the second round.

It is projected that Cal Clutterbuck will come back into the lineup for Ross Johnston. Dal Cole impressed thursday night and is expected to stay in on the third line. Leo Komarov will move back up to the third line to make room for Clutterbuck on the fourth line.

The Islanders have not made any changes to their defense, since Johnny Boychuk got hurt in game one against the Panthers, and it looks like the d-core will stay the same for tonight’s game.

Semyon Varlamov will be in the net after shutting out the Capitals on Thursday night.

The Islanders are projected to lineup like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Komarov-Pageau-Dal Colle
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Toews-Mayfield
Leddy-Greene

Varlamov (Greiss)

The Flyers are built in a way that many opposing teams have a tough time matching up against. They have four solid lines and each one posses a threat to the opposition. Each line has grit and great skating and playmaking ability.

Philadelphia is solid on the backend too and will receive a boost for tonight’s matchup. Matt Niskanen is projected to be back in the lineup after being suspended last game for a cross-check. Here’s the hit:

The Flyers are led by Jakub Voracek, who leads Philly in goals (4) and points (8) and Kevin Hayes, who has six assists. If the Isles want to have success in this series, they must shut these two skaters down.

The Flyers are projected to lineup like this:

Raffl-Coutrier-Voracek
Farabee-Hayes-Konecny
Giroux-Grant-Laughton
VanRiemsdyk-Thompson-Pitlick

Provorov-Niskanen
Sanheim-Myers
Hagg-Braun

Hart (Elliott)

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Where to Catch the Game

TV: NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS

Radio: 88.7FM 103.9FM 98.7FM

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*