They had a 4-1 lead in the third period.
And lost it.
And then came back to win it with 2.1 seconds left.
Craig Berube’s Flyers keep playing teams headed for the postseason and they keep beating them.
Tuesday’s hairy 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center damaged the Isles’ chances to get second place in the Metro Division.
From the Flyers' perspective, however, it raised their record to 12-1-4 in their last 17 games against playoff opponents at the time of play.
NHL
If only they had similar success against lesser clubs, they’d be headed to the playoffs themselves.
The Flyers had a 4-1 lead in the third period and New York got it to 4-3 with 1:44 left to play, attacking with six players, then tied it before Brayden Schenn won it coming up ice with a shot from above the left circle.
Claude Giroux scored twice and now has 25 goals.
Isles coach Jack Capuano had a very depleted lineup as Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Frans Nielsen all were injured even though none were listed in the game notes as such.
Notable goals
After kissing the left post during an initial 5-on-3 power play, Giroux settled down, and when the opportunity came again 5-on-4, he found nothing but net on that same set-up shot from the left circle at 12:54 for his first goal of the night. That gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead in the first period.
Goalie report
Steve Mason once again was tested during the opening period in which the Flyers were outshot, 15-10. Through two periods, it was 30-18. Mason finished with 36 saves.
Power play
The Isles blew a 59-second, 5-on-3 opportunity in the first period, seemingly afraid to shoot the puck against the 29th-worst penalty kill unit in the NHL.
The Isles were 1 for 5. The Flyers were 1 for 3.
Post shot
Carlo Colaiacovo nailed a shot off the post in the second period but made good on his shot from the slot during the third period, giving the Flyers a 4-1 lead.
50 points
Mark Streit picked up two assists, giving him 50 points on the season. The last Flyer defenseman to crack that barrier was Chris Pronger (55 points) in 2009-10.
Pick on 'em
Vinny Lecavalier had an assist, giving him 53 points in 58 career games against the Islanders.
Penalty kill
The Flyers held the Isles to just two shots on their early 5-on-3 opportunity.
Fights
Eric Boulton won a close decision over Ryan White in the first period.
Scratches
Defensemen Andrew MacDonald (fractured right hand), Luke Schenn (abdominal/adductor); forwards R.J. Umberger (hip/abdominal), Wayne Simmonds (fractured left leg) all injured.
Up next
The Flyers will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.