New York Islanders-New York Rangers: 5 Reasons The Game Is More Important To The Isles

Feb 27, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; The New York Islanders celebrate their win over the Calgary Flames with fans after the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders defeated the Flames 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Home Ice

The reason the Islanders, Rangers and every other Eastern Conference team is now in full attack mode as they jockey for playoff position is to gain that valuable home ice advantage.

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Is the NHL more unlike other tournaments? Yes.

Nowhere in the world is a tournament more of a crapshoot than the Stanley Cup Playoffs where #8 seeds often make deep runs (see the 2014 Los Angeles Kings). A hot goalie and a team coming together at the right team means the world to a hockey club.

However, there is still always something to be said about having that last change. The all important matchups are in the home coaches hand and could mean all the difference in the world.

Protecting Nassau Coliseum against those pesky Rangers is critical for positioning in the standings and mindset.

Next: Back To Back? No Problem