With the New York Islanders out of the playoff mix, they are now fighting for the best draft odds as possible. Here’s your rooting guide for today.
The New York Islanders have been officially eliminated from the playoffs for a little over a week at this point. With the playoffs out of the question, fans are now rooting for the Islanders to get the best possible draft odds.
Here’s your rooting guide for the final Saturday of the regular season:
Matchup 1: Islanders vs Red Wings (7:00 pm)
This is the easiest matchup for your rooting guide. The Islanders need to lose this game in regulation if you’re #TeamTank. Realistically, the Islanders should’ve tanked vs the Rangers also but blue shirts are that much of a mismatch against the Isles they couldn’t help winning.
The Red Wings have 72 points so they’re in the same boat the Isles, hoping for the best odds as possible. Detroit is 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.
Matchup 2: Rangers vs Flyers (3:00 pm)
It’s going to be painful, but we have to root for the Rangers here. The other New York team is just one point behind the Islanders and with a W they will move ahead of the Isles by one point. The Flyers still have playoff positioning to play for.
The Flyers are 2-0 against the Rangers so far this year so this one might be a bit of a stretch but still, this will vastly improve the Isles chances at a top pick if the Rangers win.
Matchup 3: Blackhawks vs Jets (7:00 pm)
Chicago sits just two points back of the Islanders with 76. If the Blackhawks win they will be tied in points, thus improving the Islanders odds in the draft lottery.
Winnipeg is locked into the second spot in the Central and doesn’t have anything to play for so this can certainly be feasible for the Blackhawks to pull off. Oddly enough despite a 112 point season, the Jets are just 1-3 against the Hawks this year.
Matchup 4: Canucks vs Oilers (10:00 pm)
The Canucks and Oilers are in a similar spot in the standings. Vancouver has 72 points while Edmonton has 76. So, with a win, the Oilers can pull into a tie with the Islanders in points. The Oilers are1-2 against the Canuck’s so far this year.
Next: Islanders Podcast Tavares wants it all to work out
If all of this breaks right the Islanders can go have the seventh-best odds. But, if they win they’ll sit in the same spot which they are right now which is 10th. Put on your tank caps and let’s hope for the best.