Islanders, Flyers Meet in Key Metropolitan Division Clash PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers, two teams jockeying for position in a tight Eastern Conference wild-card race, will face off Monday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The Islanders (27-24-0) enter on a sour note, coming off a 5-0 shutout loss to Buffalo on Saturday. That defeat snapped a modest two-game win streak and highlighted recent offensive struggles, as the team has been held to two or fewer goals in four of its last six contests. Center Bo Horvat, a key player to watch for New York, has goals in two of his last four games but was held without a point on four shots in the loss to the Sabres. He will be counted on to help reignite an offense that exploded for nine goals against New Jersey on Jan. 6 but has since been inconsistent. Philadelphia (24-26-0) arrives with momentum from a decisive 7-3 road victory over Colorado last Friday. The win provided a bright spot in an otherwise challenging January, where the Flyers have posted a 4-6-0 record. Flyers forward Owen Tippett is in peak form, coming off a career-best four-point night (three goals, one assist) against the Avalanche. He has recorded points in three of his last four games and will be the focal point of a Philadelphia attack looking to build on its highest goal output of the season. The season series between these Metropolitan Division rivals has been exceptionally close. Both previous meetings this season went to a shootout, with the home team winning each time. The Flyers took a 4-3 decision in New York on Nov. 28, and the Islanders returned the favor with a 3-2 shootout win in Philadelphia on Oct. 25. With the Islanders just three points ahead of the Flyers in the overall standings, Monday’s matchup carries significant weight for the playoff picture. Both teams are embarking on crucial stretches, with New York set for a home-and-home series against the rival New York Rangers later this week, and Philadelphia facing a back-to-back in Columbus and Boston. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.