PHILADELPHIA — It took until late in the day, but a sloppy afternoon caught up with the Islanders just in time to snap a four-game winning streak. 

Matvei Michkov’s shootout winner capped a comeback win for the Flyers and sent the Islanders on to Boston with a bitter taste, having leads of 2-0 and 3-2 before falling 4-3 to Philadelphia on Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. 

The Islanders and Flyers alike played a disjointed, daytime hockey game as if they’d had their Halloween parties the night before, and it was clear from the start that whoever made the fewest mistakes would end up on top. 

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin is unable to make a save on a goal scored by Philadelphia Flyers’ Christian Dvorak (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. AP

“I didn’t think either team played great,” Tony DeAngelo said. “Thought we needed to generate more sustained [offensive zone] time. … I didn’t think they had O-zone time either. It was more of a neutral-zone game.” 

Despite what was far from their best performance, it looked for much of the game like the Islanders would get over the finish line. Their bottom six — which seems to fit together much easier with Simon Holmstrom on the third line and Kyle MacLean on the fourth, though that comes with Max Shabanov missing time due to injury — looked ready to carry the day, and all 18 skaters were contributing physicality to the mix. 

Philadelphia Flyers’ Rodrigo Abols (18) takes down New York Islanders’ Kyle MacLean (32) during the third period. AP

Several members of the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Islanders participate in a third-period scuffle. NHLI via Getty Images

The insertion of Laurel Hollow native Marshall Warren into the lineup was paying dividends, too. Warren, who became the third native Long Islander to suit up for the Isles, and whose childhood picture in orange Islanders gear floated around the internet on Friday after the team announced he would play, appeared on the brink of completing a dream debut when he recorded his second assist of the afternoon early in the third period. 

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That blast from the top of the zone, tipped in by Max Tsyplakov, gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead which may have been decisive. 

That wouldn’t be the end of it, though, not with emotions boiling over and both teams freely taking penalties — the Islanders, in part, to try and protect rookie Matthew Schaefer, who was targeted all afternoon by the Flyers. When Scott Mayfield was called for high sticking and went to the box for the third time on the day, though, the Flyers finally took advantage, with Noah Cates stuffing the puck in on a scramble in the crease. 

The Islanders had plenty of chances to break the 3-3 deadlock from there, in particular Bo Horvat’s overtime look off Jonathan Drouin’s cross-ice feed. Samuel Ersson, though, got over in time to rob Horvat with his glove and keep the game alive. 

Trevor Zegras of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates his game-tying power-play goal against the New York Islanders. NHLI via Getty Images

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson (33) makes a shootout save against New York Islanders left wing Anthony Duclair (11). Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

“I thought we won the game when Drouin made that pass to Horvat,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said, and so did the 16,640 in attendance. “That was a really good save.” 

Ersson ended up bettering Ilya Sorokin in the shootout, too, denying Anthony Duclair to end the game after Michkov had scored the second Flyers goal in the skills competition. 

Sorokin, in his first start since Sergei Naumovs was made Islanders goaltending coach, looked technically sound throughout the afternoon, though his rebound control was shaky at points. He finished with 23 saves, but stopped just one of three in the shootout. 

New York Islanders’ Anthony Duclair, right, celebrates his goal with Marshall Warren during the second period. AP

On another day, it might have all added up to be just enough to walk away with two points. On Saturday, it was not. 

“When you’re down a couple goals at the end there, you always turn it on,” said Holmstrom, who scored for the second straight game, this one short-handed. “You gotta be ready for the push, kill off the [Mayfield penalty] as well. They got a couple, which gave them some momentum as well. Gotta kill that off.”