Briere, Hartnell lift Flyers over Islanders 2-1

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - January 30, 2010

Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell scored for the Flyers in a 2-1 victory over the Islanders on Saturday, giving Philadelphia its 14th straight win over New York and tying an NHL mark held by numerous teams for consecutive wins against a single opponent.

"They've obviously had a good run on us," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "It's only a matter of time before it turns the other way."

Ray Emery made 31 saves in helping the Flyers snap a two-game losing streak.

Josh Bailey scored and Dwayne Roloson made 30 saves for New York, which has lost four straight and five of six.

Roloson started in place of Rick DiPietro, who was given the day off as he continues to recover from knee surgery.

The win moved the Flyers three points ahead of the Islanders, who came into the game trailing Philadelphia by one point for sixth place in the Eastern conference.

"Any time you play a team around you in the standings you better put your hard hat on because they are coming," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said.

Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead at 8:22 in the first when Briere picked up a loose puck behind the net and sneaked it past Roloson's stick.

After losing their last game to the Thrashers, who rallied from a 3-1 third-period deficit, the Flyers held the Islanders in check late.

"We played aggressive," Laviolette said. "In the third we picked it back up, nothing came easy today."

Hartnell's power-play goal gave Philadelphia a two-goal lead late in the first. Mike Richards' shot from the blue line was deflected by Hartnell, beating Roloson.

Philadelphia appeared to take a 3-0 lead in the second, but Hartnell's interference penalty resulted in a goal being taken off the board. Hartnell ran into Roloson as Kimmo Timonen's shot crossed the goal line.

"That changed the momentum of the game," Briere said. "As we get closer to the end, these games are going to be close to playoff-type atmosphere."

New York made it 2-1 in the second when Bailey took a backhand pass from Kyle Okposo and slipped it passed Emery's glove side. The Flyers closed a six-game home stand, their longest of the season, going 4-2.

The Flyers next play New York in Philadelphia on March 9. NOTES: The Flyers improved to 67-32-11-2 against New York. ... Emery improved to 5-0 lifetime against the Islanders.

Philadelphia's streak of 14-straight victories against Atlanta was snapped earlier this season.

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