Eyes On Isles
Fansided

New York Islanders Playoff Magic Number Could Drop to One

By Michel Anderson

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 31: David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets is hit by Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders during the second period at the Barclays Center on March 31, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 31: David Savard #58 of the Columbus Blue Jackets is hit by Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders during the second period at the Barclays Center on March 31, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets is quite literally a four-point game for the New York Islanders. A regulation win means their magic number drops to just one.

With only a few games left in the regular season, the New York Islanders are edging closer to the playoffs. With a regulation win tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets that number can fall to just one.

Again, a regulation win tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets would put the New York Islanders a single point away from clinching a playoff spot. Incredible.

The New York Islanders weren’t supposed to be a good team, and certainly not a playoff bound team. But here we are on March 26th with a four-point game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road to bring a playoff birth to within a single point.

Four-Point Game

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the non-playoff team with the most points in the Eastern Conference with 86 points from 75 games. If they win every single one of their remaining seven games, including tonight’s against the Islanders they could finish the season with 100 points.

But with a regulation loss to the Islanders the Blue Jackets maximum point total falls to 98.

A win for the Isles would simultaneously push the Islanders to 97 points on the season. A single point or another Columbus loss would give the Islanders the playoff birth they’re hoping for.

Tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets is a four-point game. A win is crucial for both teams. Not only are the Blue Jackets looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, but looking to prevent the series sweep.

This season, the Islanders have had the best of the Blue Jackets. Of the three games played between the two divisional rivals, the New York Islanders are 3-0 with a +6 goal differential.

After “shooting their shot” during the free agency window, things haven’t gone according to plan for the Blue Jackets. They brought in Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingle, Keith Kincaid and Adam McQuaid to help them push for the playoffs and maybe more. But since the deadline, they’ve stumbled to a 6-7-1 record.

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We’ve talked about the New York Islanders playing playoff-type games already this season. This game is going to feel like a game seven.

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