Islanders Playoffs: Do or Die Against Devils Again

The New York Islanders travel to the rock for game number 81 against the New Jersey Devils. A team they recently beat 2-1 at home. Oh and that was their B-Team.

Every day New York Islanders fans are checking the standings to see exactly how they can make the playoffs. At least they play the Devils. A team eliminated from playoff contention some time ago. Smooth sailing right?

Last time these two teams met, just over a week ago, it ended 2-1 with the Islanders squeaking by a team that featured a number of young players plugged into the lineup for evaluation.

The Islanders had a total of ten power play opportunities and only managed to get a single goal. Against a team that’s ranked 21st in the league with a 79.8% penalty kill efficiency. Summing up in a single game how the Islanders power play has been all year; feckless.

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The Islanders dominated the shot totals 38 to 27 but lost out on the Corsi battle on 5-on-5 with the Devils holding a resounding 55.84%, per Corsica.

With a win tonight, a single result need to go the Islanders way tonight. The Penguins have to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation. It doesn’t mean the Isles will leapfrog the Leafs, it just brings them to within a single point.

The Isles could still potentially make the playoffs if the Maple Leafs take a loser point. It just means that the Isles have to take the next two games versus the Devils tonight and the Senators tomorrow in regulation.

The Maple Leafs currently hold a single ROW advantage over the Islanders, which is the first tie-breaker after all the games have been played.

Winning both games in regulation is the best way for the Isles to put themselves in a good spot to make the playoffs should the Maple Leafs stumble. Tonight, step one. Beat the B-Team New Jersey Devils on Patrick Elias’ last home game. Great, already the narrative is against us.

Next: Remember NHL Playoff Tiebreak Rules

Where to Catch the Game:

Live: 6 pm, Prudential Center
TV: MSG+
Radio: AM970 – The Answer, 88.7FM – WRHU, 103.9FM – LI News
Fubo Stream