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Islanders rookie Maxim Tsyplakov had a target on his back after delivering a hard shoulder check on Poehling, who left the game.

Sean Couturier, Garnet Hathaway and Morgan Frost scored in the second period Thursday night for the Philadelphia Flyers, who beat the New York Islanders 5-3 in Elmont, N.Y.

Any win against a divisional rival is a big deal, but the Philadelphia Flyers’ 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders carried extra weight.

This is what it looks like when the season slips away in January. A disastrous second period, a total squandering of momentum, a team that played most of the night as though nobody was on the same page and a home crowd that sounded more disappointed than upset.

After administering a direct shot to the head of Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Poehling, New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov is scheduled for a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday.

John Tortorella's Philadelphia Flyers (19-20-6) are in Elmont on Thursday evening to take on Patrick Roy's New York Islanders (17-19-7).

PM | UBS ARENA | BUY TICKETS WATCH: MSGSN | MSG+ | ESPN+ LISTEN: 88.7FM | 103.9FM | ISLANDERS + UBS ARENA APP HOW OPTIMUM SUBSCRIBERS CAN WATCH THE ISLES The New York Islanders are looking for a secon

The NHL playoffs aren't scheduled to start for another three months. But a postseason-like intensity has already arrived for the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Though Marcus Hogberg has been solid, coach Patrick Roy said Sorokin will be in net for the important game against Columbus at UBS.

Plenty of good things to report about New York Rangers in latest Daily, plus NHL news and rumors, including a possible suspension for superstar Connor McDavid.