‘WILD’ OPEN
Islanders continue playoff push with win over Flyers
PHILADELPHIA — Jason Chimera scored the goahead goal early in the second period and Thomas Greiss made 33 saves to lead the Islanders to a 3-1 victory over the Flyers on Thursday night.
John Tavares and Casey Cizikas also scored for the Islanders, who have won nine of their past 13 games to move closer to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Wayne Simmonds scored for Philadelphia, which lost its third straight. The Flyers avoided getting shut out in three consecutive regularseason games for the first time in the franchise’s 50year history.
Boston, a 6-3 winner over the Sharks on Thursday, bumped Philadelphia out of the second-wild card slot. The Flyers are now a point behind the Bruins, while the Islanders sit two behind Boston but with three games in hand on Philadelphia and four on the Bruins. All told, eight teams are within six points of the Bruins.
“We looked at the standings [Wednesday] and saw there were only two teams we had to jump to be in a [playoff] spot,” Tavares said. “Each game is crucial, especially in our division, and we’re just trying to climb the ladder.”
Chimera put the Islanders ahead 2:13 into the second period when he beat Steve Mason after getting in alone on the Flyers’ goalie. Andrew Ladd set up the goal by lifting a pass over defense- man Radko Gudas’ stick and right onto the tape for Chimera, whose backhand went high over Mason’s blocker for a 2-1 New York lead.
“It was bouncing a little bit, and I just tried to chip it over his pad,” Chimera said. “Sometimes when the puck is rolling, just chip it and hope for the best. It worked out.”
Cizikas made it a two-goal advantage 1:21 into the third. After Mark Streit’s turnover, Cizikas entered the Flyers zone and fanned on a shot attempt before wheeling around and scoring on a wrist shot that went under the pads of a surprised Mason. Philadelphia fans booed Mason loudly after the goal.
Mason, playing in his first game since a 5-1 loss at Carolina on Jan. 31, made 30 saves.
The Flyers ended their scoreless streak at 134 minutes, 56 seconds, when Simmonds scored on the rebound of Shayne Gostisbehere’s shot for a power-play goal with 7:53 remaining in the first period to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
The Islanders improved to 7-1-2 under coach Doug Weight, who took over when Jack Capuano was fired Jan. 17.
“Slowly we’ve inched our way back in it,” Weight said. “We’ve put ourselves into the conversation. We have a lot of work to do.”