Flyers vs. Islanders Has Major Playoff Implications for Both Teams

The two Metropolitan Division rivals are set to clash in a game that can make or break either team's postseason chances.

Mar 30, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) reacts after a goal by Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (not pictured) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The NHL regular season is winding down which means the playoff picture is slowly coming into shape as there are only two weeks left. And with the Eastern Conference standings being as tight as they are, the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders are in the middle of the race.

The Flyers are currently sitting right outside of the second wildcard spot in the East as they have 86 points and the team occupying WC2 is the Ottawa Senators with 88 points. The Islanders currently sit in third place in the Metro division with 89 points.

And with the Islanders being 3 points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for second in the metro as the Penguins have 92 points, and the Flyers being that close to a playoff spot, this is a huge game. Both teams are going to need this one, at least according to Money Puck.

35 percentage point swing in playoff chances for the Isles tonight. Last chance of the Flyers. https://t.co/SJsT3j6EOs pic.twitter.com/1OMamaAygH

— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) April 3, 2026

Both teams have been streaky this year, but are right there with these games being super important. The Islanders seem to have the edge in goal with superstar Ilya Sorokin, but the Flyers are a team that never truly goes away and they just added 6th overall pick Porter Martone to their roster.

Apr 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Porter Martone (94) scuffles with Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex Debrincat (93) in the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Danny Briere should have called Martone up sooner if he wanted a better playoff chance

General manager Danny Briere seemed to have waited to call up his top prospect till there was almost no time left in the regular season. And now the Flyers playoff hopes are hinging on a game that will take place on the road at their division rivals.

The Flyers have been an up-and-down team where they seemed like they were dead in the water most of the year and then had a surge as the calendar turned to January. Briere should have realized that his team was turning a corner and made the call.

Martone fell into the Flyers lap when the Nashville Predators decided to take Brady Martin with their pick instead of Martone. Martone is the type of player that can really help his team and could have helped the Flyers sooner with their playoff chances if Briere did not sit on his hands for so long.

Now Briere will have Martone in his lineup for a game that is do-or-die for his team's playoff chances. The Flyers are not a really good contending team, but they are a team that continues to fight and does not go away, and Briere's mistake might cost them.

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