New York Islanders Won’t Get Cooperation in Playoff Hunt

The New York Islanders playoff hopes are still alive, however barely, and they travel to Nashville in hopes to keep them alive a little bit longer. Hopefully, Nashville cooperates.

Nashville is already in and the New York Islanders need every game just to stave off elimination. The Isles have everything to play for and the Preds don’t so maybe they just throw us a bone?

Probably not. While sure the Preds are locked into a playoff spot they aren’t locked into a favorable seeding. They’re in the final wild-card spot in the West, which means they’d have a date with the Chicago Blackhawks.

You’d figure any team in their right mind would want to avoid Johnathan Toews and company in the first round. Now, a matchup against Minnesota or even Anaheim would definitely suit them best. And with a game in hand and two points back of jumping both the Flames and the Blues they’ll be up for this game, unfortunately.

More from NY Islanders News

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• Islanders vs. Wild: Zach Parise returns to Minnesota (lineup, odds, +)
• Islanders vs. Jets Three takeaways: Ilya Sorok(ing) is my name
• Islanders vs Jets: Isles significant underdog in Winnipeg (lines, odds, +)
• Islanders: Brock Nelson Nets 4 in Dominant Win Over Montreal

The last times the Isles faced the Predators, just a few short weeks ago, the Predators made easy work of the Islanders. Restricting them to just 19 shots against backup Juuse Saros.

The Preds easily broke up any attempt the Islanders constructed breaking out of their zone with a very aggressive forecheck. And the Isles slipped further back in the playoff race.

Must Win

It was a game the Islanders absolutely needed to show up for, but failed to do so. At home. Now on the road will that help? Who knows. The Isles have looked better on the road than at home recently, which is a complete 360 on their form in the season so far.

Now, with two wins-in-a-row the Isles can jump into a respectable four points back, assuming both Ottawa and Boston lose in regulation tonight.

Losing tonight won’t formally eliminate the Isles, even if Ottawa and Boston both win the Isles would be six points back of Boston with three games remaining and a game in hand. It’s still possible, but made significantly unlikelier with a poor performance tonight.

Next: Isles Secret Playoff Weapon is Halak

Where to Catch the Game:

Live: 8PM, Bridgestone Arena
TV: MSG+2
Radio: AM970 – The Answer, 88.7FM – WRHU, 103.9FM – LI News
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