Logan Couture put the puck in the net to end the game in overtime. The Islanders picked up a point that extended their point streak to 17-games and brought their overall record to 16-3-2. Everything was going right for the Islanders and fans were focused on winning the division, or even the conference. The thought of missing the playoffs never crossed anyone’s mind.
Two nights later, the point streak ended in Anaheim with a 3-0 loss. Fine. It was bound to end eventually. Still, the fanbase was extremely confident in the direction the team was headed in. Everyone was wrong, as things have taken a massive turn for the worst.
Since the point streak ended in Anaheim, the Isles have put up a below-.500 record of 19-20-6. With a combination of poor play, and injuries to key pieces such as Adam Pelech, Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck, and Johnny Boychuk, the team has now dropped six in a row and have been jumped by the Carolina Hurricanes for the final Wild Card spot. While there is still a high chance of the team getting into the playoffs, they must turn it around right away if they want to do so.
The team is currently in Vancouver where they will kick off a 4-game road-trip, likely the biggest and most important stretch remaining in the season. After Vancouver, the team will go to Calgary, Edmonton, and finally Pittsburgh before they head home to Long Island.
With 15 games remaining, it is extremely important for the Islanders to kick this stretch run off with a win in Vancouver. Whatever happens next remains to be seen, but with reinforcements coming in both Johnny Boychuk and Casey Cizikas, the team seems ready to turn things around and finish on a high note.
 

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