Islanders: Five questions that need answering after the all-star break

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: (l-r) Doug Wilson of the San Jose Sharks and Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders chat prior to the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

With mediocre efforts and blown leads the few weeks before the all-star break, the New York Islanders need to address some tough questions when the season resumes.

There are 33 games left in the regular season and the New York Islanders are third in the Metropolitan Division. However, they are only two points ahead of the last wild card spot held by the Carolina Hurricanes.

That 17-game-point streak from earlier in the season looks like a long time away. In that streak, the Isles built-up a great point base that is now starting to erode. Case and point, the small gap between the Isles and Hurricanes.

Three points separate the Isles with three other teams below them in the Metropolitan Division (Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers). They’ve also been leapfrogged by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division.

If the Islanders hope to make the playoffs in 2020, they need to answer and address some issues plaguing this team:

With mediocre efforts and blown leads the few weeks before the all-star break, the New York Islanders need to address some tough questions when the season resumes.

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