The Flyers, who have won three in a row overall for the first time in two months, haven't lost to the Islanders since Feb. 12, 2008. It is the longest active streak in the NHL, one win more than Washington's current 12-game run over Tampa Bay.
Danny Briere scored in the first period to give the Flyers their first lead and he nearly added another goal in the third, but that one was waved off. Video replay determined that Briere steered his own shot in with a skate after the puck hit goalie Martin Biron at the end of a 2-on-1 rush.
The Flyers overcame that and got strong goaltending from Michael Leighton, who stopped 28 saves while making his third consecutive start over Brian Boucher. Philadelphia is 3-0 on its six-game road trip that included a 4-3 shootout win at Carolina on Saturday night.
Due to weather, the Flyers didn't arrive in New York until 3:30 a.m. - 13½ hours before the late afternoon puck drop on Long Island. Philadelphia (18-18-2) hadn't won three straight since a five-game run from Oct. 31-Nov. 12. Its previous two-game spurt before Saturday came on Nov. 16-18.
The Islanders also were looking for a rare three-game winning streak, following victories over Toronto on Wednesday and at the New York Rangers on Saturday. The Islanders are 2-7 in the second half of back-to-back games this season.
Jon Sim's fourth goal of the season brought New York into a tie in the second period, but the Islanders couldn't generate any other offense. Former Flyers goalie Biron made 28 saves but lost his sixth straight decision. New York has dropped nine of 13.
Briere got the seemingly tired Flyers going early. Carter made a strong move through the slot, avoided contact with Islanders defenseman Andy Sutton, and fed a pass to Briere at the bottom of the right circle for a perfect shot to the top right corner behind Biron on 1:51.
Sim tied it following the benefit of a pair of non-calls when it appeared Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger and New York's Mark Streit both struck the puck with high sticks. The second carom off of Streit sent the puck to Sim, who made it 1-1 at 3:35 of the second.
That set the stage for Carter.
Scott Hartnell skated with the puck on Carter's right during a 2-on-1 break. Hartnell calmly slid a soft pass across to Carter, who waited for Biron to make a move before lifting a shot over him with 3:07 left in the second. Carter has three goals in six games after recording only two in the previous 11.
Hartnell assisted on both Flyers goals.
NOTES: Biron hasn't won since topping Carolina on Nov. 13. He hadn't played in three games, but got the start over Dwayne Roloson, who made 36 saves in the 3-2 overtime win against the Rangers on Saturday. ... Carter, who scored once at Carolina on Saturday, hadn't scored in consecutive games since the first two contests this season. Carter had 14 goals this season after netting 46 last season. ... Islanders coach Scott Gordon is 0-7-2 against the Flyers. The teams will meet three more times this season.
