Islanders Weekly Report - 3/29

During this time of the year, every game is massively important, especially for teams that are fighting to gain a playoff spot like the Islanders. Critical wins against the Rangers and Penguins tied up the Islanders with the Bruins in a race for the last Eastern Conference wild card spot, as they headed into their final game of the season Saturday night. This was the matchup the Islanders wanted – at home against the Bruins who were coming in with a four game losing streak. This was their golden chance to pull ahead in the race. Brooklyn was set to have one of its biggest nights of the season.

However, although the stage was set with bright lights and high anticipation, the Islanders were unable to perform at a high enough level to succeed. New York captain, John Tavares, put the Islanders on top with a goal halfway through the first period. The lead, however, was soon taken away when nearly 30 seconds later, Bruins forward Riley Nash tied it up. Greiss came up with a couple crucial saves to keep the Islanders in the game, however he was unable to stop Nash from scoring his second goal of the game, putting the Bruins up 2-1 in the third period. The Islanders were incapable of capitalizing on a couple power play opportunities, ultimately dropping the game and falling two points behind the Bruins.

On Monday, the Islanders were given a chance to gain ground in the wild card race with a game against the Predators but came away with no additional points. They now sit one point behind the Lightning and four points back of the Bruins, who currently hold the coveted second wild card spot.

With only seven games left in the regular season, the window for the Islanders to advance into playoffs is slowly closing; however, a look at their remaining games gives New York hope that they’ll be able to fight back. Sure, five of the seven games are on the road but only two teams they face are ranked higher than them, Nashville and Ottawa. The rest of the Islanders’ opponents all have fewer points. The Bruins, though mostly playing at home, will have to face a much tougher schedule, which could possibly allow the Islanders to skate past them in the final stretch of the season.

One thing is for certain: these next two weeks will hold some high-stake, excitement-filled games. Buckle up, and hold on tight, New York.