Five Storylines to Follow in Flyers vs. Islanders Matchup

The Philadelphia Flyers return home to open a five-game homestand against the New York Islanders. Philadelphia (3-3-1) looks to bounce back from a 2–1 loss in Ottawa, a game that halted the team’s brief two-game win streak. Still, the Flyers have shown improvement in all three zones over the past week, with crisper breakouts, tighter neutral-zone coverage, and more structured play around the net.

The Islanders (4-3-0) come in riding a very different wave. After dropping its first three games, New York has rebounded with four-straight victories, highlighted by a 7–2 rout of Detroit. Bo Horvat has led the charge with five goals and nine points, while Patrick Roy’s team has found its identity through an aggressive forecheck and a balanced attack.

Here are five things to watch before puck drop:

Oct 20, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster (71) in action against the Seattle Kraken in the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

1. Foerster's Confidence Climbing

Tyson Foerster has quietly become one of Philadelphia’s most reliable forwards. The 22-year-old has points in three straight games, including goals in back-to-back outings, and continues to create offense with his heavy shot and net-front awareness. His chemistry with Bobby Brink and Noah Cates has added balance to the Flyers’ top six and stability on the power play, which is slowly trending upward.

2. Ersson Gets the Nod

Samuel Ersson is expected to make his third start of the season in this game. The 26-year-old netminder has had an uneven beginning (0-1-1, 3.88 GAA, .849 SV%), but he’s shown flashes of the poise that earned him the backup job last season. With Dan Vladar carrying the bulk of the workload early, this is a key opportunity for Ersson to re-establish rhythm and confidence on home ice against a dangerous Islanders offense averaging nearly four goals per game.

Oct 18, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) against the Minnesota Wild at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

3. Couturier’s All-Around Impact

Flyers captain Sean Couturier’s return to full form has anchored Philadelphia's lineup. With eight points in seven games, he’s been their offensive catalyst and defensive conscience, regularly matching up against opponents’ top centers while driving possession in key moments.

4. Schaefer’s Surprising Start

Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, just 18 years old, has been a revelation for the Islanders. The 2025 first-round pick has seven points in his first seven games, showing maturity and puck composure beyond his years. His ability to jump into the rush has transformed the Islanders’ blue line from defense-first to dynamic.

5. Special Teams Battle

The Flyers’ penalty kill remains a bright spot, sitting at 86.2%, tenth in the NHL. They’ll face an Islanders power play clicking at 20% and led by Horvat’s net-front presence. Winning the special-teams battle could determine whether Philadelphia starts its homestand on a high note. Philadelphia's power play, sitting at 13.6% (28th in the NHL) will go up against New York's penalty kill of 75%, good for 13th in the league.

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