Islanders 3, Flyers 2 (SO)
Cal Clutterbuck scored the tying goal late in the second period before netting the decisive tally in the seventh round of the shootout as visiting New York halted its season high-tying three-game skid.
Mikhail Grabovski scored in regulation and Frans Nielsen also tallied in the bonus format as the Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit to post only their fourth win in their last 22 visits to Philadelphia. All-Star Jaroslav Halak turned aside 16 shots and clinched the win by stopping Sean Couturier on the final shootout attempt as New York reclaimed first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Defenseman Nick Schultz and the red-hot Chris VandeVelde scored for the Flyers, who had their season-high four-game winning streak come to an end. Wayne Simmonds kept Philadelphia alive by scoring in the third round of the shootout while Steve Mason finished with 28 saves.
Vincent Lecavalier set up the opening goal 5:43 into the game, sliding a pass from behind the net to Schultz for a one-timer from the slot. The Flyers went 11 minutes without a shot in the second period but doubled the lead when VandeVelde finished a 2-on-1 rush at 11:38 for his fifth tally in seven games.
Grabovski pounced on a turnover by Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn just over five minutes later and beat Mason from the slot before the Islanders drew even with 73 seconds left in the period as Clutterbuck knocked home a long rebound to end his 19-goal goalless drought. Philadelphia had a chance to win it late in overtime, but Halak denied Couturier on a breakaway.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Flyers D Kimmo Timonen, a four-time All-Star who has been sidelined the entire season due to blood clots in his calf and lungs, will resume skating Friday and hopes join the team for practice in seven to 10 days. ... Islanders LW Matt Martin suffered a broken nose in a first-period fight with Philadelphia C Ryan White but returned for the start of the second period. ... Flyers C Scott Laughton (concussion) returned to the lineup after missing seven games while D Nicklas Grossmann (shoulder) was back after a 10-game absence.