3/23: New York at Philadelphia 7pm Msg+

New York Islander Fan Central | 3/23/2008 04:11:00 AM | |
Islanders website/AP: Has the early preview for tonight's rare Sunday game against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Tim Panaccio reports Flyer defenseman Kimo Timonen will return to the lineup against the Islanders tonight but it's unlikely Randy Jones will return.

NYI Fan Central Comments
For those still scoring at home a Flyer regulation win eliminates the Islanders from catching Philadelphia. It also brings Boston's magic number to one to eliminate the Islanders from the playoffs entirely as Boston has eighty four points and the Isles if they won the six remaining games could only reach eighty five, Boston holds the tie-breaker head to head and in wins.

Only other Sunday road games was in Ottawa. Core of the four weekend was only Sunday home game, first Sunday night game of the year.

Islansders need a much better effort from the veterans than they got in New Jersey where they did not create much pressure or many shots. Dubielewicz bailing out the club with strong goaltending in a win does not hide how much they were outplayed in a game the coach felt the team looked like they would give a good effort beforehand.

With a third game in four days Monday Ted Nolan could give Joey MacDonald a start in one of these games. MacDonald played seven games for the Bruins last year and has played for the Red Wings so it's not a new experience for him to be in an NHL game.

It will be interesting to see how Okposo responds to his game winning goal. The other kids in this lineup have to keep working hard, Jeff Tambellini has to be more visible and create some chances. Should the Isles call up an enforcer to protect the players a little more after the Devils targeted a few Islanders because Bill Guerin should not have to be doing that at this point in his career.

Flyers come in a desperate team that have won a few games but have a long way to go over the next couple of weeks and have had the Isles number, they will no doubt come out and try and get the Isles down early.