Islanders end 15-game losing streak to Flyers

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Blake Comeau scored twice in New York’s three-goal first period, and the Islanders snapped a 15-game losing streak to Philadelphia with a 6-4 victory over the playoff-hopeful Flyers on Thursday night.

Comeau gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead 2:11 in and doubled the advantage 5:06 later — both off assists from rookie John Tavares. Frans Nielsen made it a three-goal edge 28 seconds after Comeau’s second on New York’s eighth shot on goalie Brian Boucher.

New York — which tied its highest scoring output this season — kept alive minuscule playoff possibilities, but is still eight points below the postseason cutoff with five games left. The Islanders, 0-12-3 in the previous 15 against the Flyers, took solace in finally beating their Atlantic Division rivals, who started the streak on March 1, 2008. It is the longest winning streak over a team in Flyers’ history and was the longest current run in the NHL.

Frans Nielsen, Sean Bergenheim, Trent Hunter, and Jon Sim also scored, and former Flyers goalie Martin Biron made 31 saves for the Islanders, who have won three of four. Arron Asham, James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere and Darroll Powe had goals for the Flyers, 1-5-1 in their last seven.

—Associated Press