What a way for the Islanders to close out January.
The New York Islanders took care of business in Philadelphia as they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 for their sixth straight win.
Ilya Sorokin turned aside all 25 shots for his third shutout of the season.
The Islanders end the month of January with a record of 9-3-0.
With their win in Philly, they leapfrog the New York Rangers, the Flyers, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Detroit Red Wings (if the result against the Edmonton Oilers holds) to move within three points of the second wild-card spot, with three games in hand.
Here's how the game unfolded:
Maxim Tsyplakov and Scott Laughton dropped the gloves, a fight that had been brewing since No. 7 injured Ryan Poheling, leading to a three-game suspension:
Tsyplakov was suspended in the rematch of that game.
The Flyers had a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Adam Pelech took a four-minute high-sticking penalty at 12:01 of the first.
Despite Matvei Michkov scoring at 14:05 of the first, Patrick Roy challenged for goaltender interference, winning it for the second straight game after Morgan Frost made contact with Sorokin.
The Islanders killed off the remaining minutes of the Flyers' power play to keep the game scoreless.
Long Island's penalty kill improved to 20-for-22 in the month of January.
Simon Holmstrom gave the Islanders at 10:02 of the second after he went crossbar and in from the slot:
Scott Perunovich was credited with the primary assist, giving him his second point in as many games with the Islanders since being acquired on Monday from the St. Louis Blues.
At 17:08 of the second, Marc Gatcomb scored his first career NHL goal, finishing off a 2-on-0 with Kyle MacLean at the blocker-side post:
It was a quick up by Tsyplakov that created the rush chance.
The Islanders took a 2-0 lead to the third period but weren't done just yet.
Kyle Palmieri snapped a 13-game goal drought after sniping Ivan Fedotov glove side after a Casey Cizikas drop-pass:
UP NEXT: The Islanders head to Florida for a back-to-back against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night and then the Florida Panthers on Sunday.