Well that was 48 hours of frustration.
At multiple points during both losses to the Penguins and Sabres, you thought the Islanders might at least get a point or more. In each case, things shifted suddenly and maddeningly.
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They wake up still in a playoff spot, but also still with their biggest competitors for that spot having a game or two in hand. Pittsburgh is now three points ahead with a game in hand, giving them the lead on home ice for a 2 vs. 3 matchup should the Islanders hang on.
The gap between the Isles and the Canadiens and Bruins has likely widened too far, so they pretty much need to claim the Metro third spot or final wild card spot or else, with several other teams also in the running. Their six remaining games include two against the automatic-loss Hurricanes, so there’s that, too.
But things change quickly in the bubble of teams that only kinda deserve to be in the playoffs; there are surely more turns, surprises and frustrations in store over the next two weeks.
Islanders News
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Yet again, the Islanders were in position to get some much-needed points only to fritter it all away. [LHH | Newsday]
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Takeaways: “It’s too bad we let it slip.” [Isles]
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The AHL has approved relocating the Isles’ affiliate from Brideport to #makeitseven Hamilton. [Newsday]
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The Skinny: Thursday will be a big night on the schedule as some of these games-in-hand are (momentarily) used. [Isles]
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Elsewhere
At least scores last night largely broke in the Islanders’ favor…the Senators, Red Wings, Blue Jackets and even the Flyers all lost in regulation. Pittsburgh won, but that was the price of a Red Wings regulation loss. Tonight’s schedule is just three games, all of the Westerly variety.
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Goalie fight! Pretty good one, too, in Rangers vs. Devils. [Post]
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Elliotte Friedman says there were even discussions of extending Treliving or maybe keeping him in a different role… [Sportsnet]
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Alex Ovechkin now has 20 30-goal seasons. [NHL]
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