Islanders playoff hopes uncertain if NHL suspends season like NBA

If the NHL suspends the rest of the 2019-20 season like the NBA what will happen to the New York Islanders playoff hopes?

After Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA suspended the rest of the regular season. Putting the NHL on the clock for a decision on what they’ll do next. If the season is suspended, what will that mean for the New York Islanders hopes for the playoffs?

According to Darren Dreger, the NHL could suspend the rest of the season and just resume play in the playoffs. But with 80 points from 68 games, the Islanders aren’t currently in the playoffs.

If the season is suspended on Thursday, what will happen to playoff seeding?

Not In

With 68 games played and 80 points on the year, the Islanders are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. They’re a single point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets who have 81 points from 70 games played.

If the season ended today, the Blue Jackets would be in the playoffs simply based on points total. But with two games played over the Islanders is that the right call to make?

Points-per-game would perhaps be the best way to decide who makes it and who doesn’t. If that’s the way the NHL decides to go the only movement in the Eastern Conference would be the Isles leapfrogging the Blue Jackets.

The Islanders have 1.176 points per game while the Blue Jackets have 1.157 points per game.

In fact, that would be the only movement in the league. So going to a points-per-game system for playoff seeding would solely benefit the Islanders. Technically, the Wild move up a spot, but they don’t jump into the playoff picture. So technically, that’s a disadvantage.

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We’ll see what the NHL decides to do tomorrow. Hopefully, they do with points-per-game and not just straight points earned. Either way, either the Isles or the Blue Jackets will be pushed out of the playoffs by the decision.