Welcome to another NHL Predictions. Each day, here at Last Word On Hockey, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games. For this edition, we take a look at the New York Islanders facing the Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL Predictions January 26th New York Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers
Season Series 2025-26: Philadelphia 2-0-0, NY Islanders 0-0-2
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, MSGSN, ESPN+, SN+
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Islanders’ Storylines
Every point matters for the Islanders, holding the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. They enter Monday having lost three of the last four games.
Getting Bo Horvat back in the lineup is certainly a boost. Anthony Duclair has also provided a spark to the offence. He has eight of his 12 goals on the season in the month of January.
Horvat is back on the ice with the #Isles! pic.twitter.com/zMGmGrw6qU
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 23, 2026
On the blue line, Matthew Schaefer continues to be a steady presence in his rookie season. The Calder Trophy favourite is up to 13 goals and 34 points in 51 games this season.
Flyers’ Storylines
The Flyers ended a three-game road trip by becoming just the second team this season to defeat the Colorado Avalanche in regulation at Ball Arena. That certainly took the sting out of the crushing overtime loss to Utah two nights earlier.
By securing five out of six points on the road trip, it sets the stage for a big game against the Islanders on Monday night. The Flyers are two points behind the Islanders, and a regulation win would move them back into a playoff spot.
The Flyers could be getting Daniel Vladar back from injury after Samuel Ersson rebounded during the road trip. The contributions from Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Matvei Michkov were also instrumental in the team’s success on the road.
Plenty of orange hats on the ice in Denver! #PHIvsCOL | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/W3TO4lRnNN
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 24, 2026
Prediction and Best Bets
After losing six straight games, the Flyers appear to have things back on the rails with two wins against bona fide playoff teams on the road. Meanwhile, the Islanders are looking to get things back on track themselves. The Flyers seemed to recognize the magnitude of their loss in Utah and used it to fuel an unlikely win in Colorado. That momentum carries over here.
Prediction: Flyers 4, Islanders 2
Best Bets
For best bets for the Islanders, take Bo Horvat for an anytime goal. Horvat’s last goal was on Dec. 30, prior to his injury. However, he is still leading the way for the Islanders with 21 goals. Expect Horvat to make an impact in this one.
For the Flyers, look for Matvei Michkov to continue what he had going in Colorado and get back on the scoresheet again. These strong performances have tended to come in bunches for Michkov, and after a three-point game on Friday, there could be more to come. Take him to get at least one point in this game.
Main Photo: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images