{"id":538670,"date":"2026-04-03T15:57:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/538670\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:57:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:57:13","slug":"nhl-predictions-philadelphia-flyers-vs-new-york-islanders-april-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/538670\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders, April 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Philadelphia Flyers taking on the New York Islanders check out more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/nhl-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n<p>NHL Predictions<br \/>\nPhiladelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders<br \/>\nHead-to-Head: Flyers 2-1 Islanders<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">How to Watch<\/a>:\u00a0US TV: MSGSN; NBC Sports Philadelphia+; NHL Network. Canada TV: Sportsnet; TVA Sports.<\/p>\n<p>Time:\u00a07 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s another light night of action on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/gamecenter\/phi-vs-nyi\/2026\/04\/03\/2025021205\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">a Good Friday edition<\/a> of NHL predictions. We\u2019ve got a pivotal matchup in the Metropolitan Division as the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/29\/philadelphia-flyers-sign-highly-touted-prospect\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> visit Long Island to take on the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/18\/new-york-islanders-sign-former-first-rounder-elc\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> New York Islanders<\/a>. Both teams are in the thick of the Stanley Cup Playoff race and points are important.<\/p>\n<p>Philadelphia is coming off a 4-2 loss to the<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/04\/03\/detroit-red-wings-nhl-rumours-fate-gm-steve-yzerman\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> Detroit Red Wings<\/a> on Thursday night. However, the Flyers are two points off the second wild card spot currently held by the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/29\/nhl-rumours-ottawa-senators-surprise-result-tampa-bay-lightning-yesterday-playoff-picture-atlantic-division\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ottawa Senators<\/a> going into Friday\u2019s play.<\/p>\n<p>New York is currently in the third automatic playoff spot in the Metro. However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/04\/02\/nhl-predictions-columbus-blue-jackets-vs-carolina-hurricanes-april-2\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> are one point off that that spot, and the Flyers are three points behind.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at the statistics and storylines going into this important game on Friday\u2019s NHL predictions.<\/p>\n<p>The Flyers Story<\/p>\n<p>Philadelphia is 6-3-2 in its previous 10 games entering this divisional showdown. However, the Flyers have dropped their last two games prior to tonight\u2019s matchup. Head coach <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tocchri01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Rick Tocchet<\/a> has made progress in his first season behind the bench but there\u2019s still work to do in order to get into the playoffs.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vladada01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Daniel Vladar<\/a> is the expected starter for the Flyers but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Czech netminder has helped stabilize the crease with a 24-13-7 record, 2.41 goals-against-average, and .904 save percentage.<\/p>\n<p>Travis Konency leads the team in assists (39) and points (66) so far this season. Konency is tied with <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tippeow01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Owen Tippett<\/a> for the team\u2019s lead in goals with 27.<\/p>\n<p>(Credit Image: \u00a9 Dirk Shadd\/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Wire)<\/p>\n<p>The Islanders Story<\/p>\n<p>New York would be in the playoffs if they started today. However, there are still six games left in the season for the Isles. Philadelphia has beaten New York two of the first three meetings this season.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sorokil01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Ilya Sorokin<\/a> is the confirmed starter for the Islanders in this important game. The Russian goalie has a 28-20-2 mark along with a 2.54 GAA, .910 save percentage and seven shutouts.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/barzama01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Mathew Barzal<\/a> is tops in assists (49) and points (68) so far this campaign. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/horvabo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Bo Horvat<\/a> leads in goals scored with 30 this season.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction<\/p>\n<p>Both teams are in need of points as we continue the stretch drive. Philadelphia has played well against New York so far this season. However, Sorokin has been one of the reasons for the Islanders being in the mix. That consistency should get the Isles the win.<\/p>\n<p>Prediction: Islanders win 4-2.<\/p>\n<p>Best Bets<\/p>\n<p>We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over\/under for the Islanders versus the Flyers is 5.5, and we like the over is this game.<\/p>\n<p>As far as individual props go, take <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zegratr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Trevor Zegras<\/a> to get at least a point in this game. On the Islanders front, take <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/schaema01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-03_hr\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Matthew Schaefer<\/a> to get a point in this game.<\/p>\n<p>Main photo by: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word On Hockey look at the games&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":538671,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5112],"tags":[6878,1468,5,277,1951,33100,4,1467,56,40536,5205,731],"class_list":{"0":"post-538670","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-philadelphia-flyers","8":"tag-dan-vladar","9":"tag-flyers","10":"tag-hockey","11":"tag-ilya-sorokin","12":"tag-mathew-barzal","13":"tag-new-york-islanders-predictions","14":"tag-nhl","15":"tag-philadelphia","16":"tag-philadelphia-flyers","17":"tag-philadelphia-flyers-predictions","18":"tag-philadelphiaflyers","19":"tag-travis-konecny"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=538670"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538670\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/538671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=538670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=538670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=538670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}