Can The New York Islanders Still Make The NHL Playoffs?
The New York Islanders are in a deep hole. But can the Islanders still find a way to make the NHL playoffs, even if they turn their game around — or is it too late?
Background
The New York Islanders have won six out of 21 games to start the season. They came into their first homestand at UBS Arena with a 5-6-2 record, not alarming considering all 13 games were away from Long Island.
During their opening weekend at UBS Arena, a COVID-19 outbreak hit the team. At one point they were without 10 players, seven on COVID-19 protocol and three to injury. Teams won’t win many games with a JV squad playing — and the Islanders didn’t.
The Islanders lost 11 in a row, four of those dating back to the end of the road trip. The Islanders snapped that losing skid against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
Although losing 11 straight is not ideal, the Islanders haven’t been at full strength for the majority of the season. They had gone through a brutal road trip and a long battle with COVID-19.
Can They Do It?
The Islanders are a proven team, with three straight playoff appearances under Barry Trotz and back-to-back trips to the final four. As soon as players returned back to the lineup from COVID-19 protocol, the Islanders started to earn points. The team is on a four-game point streak. Things are headed in the right direction for the blue and orange as of late.
Adjusting to a new home-ice and a new arena is difficult and the Islanders have shown that. The Islanders have earned just two points (0-4-2) at UBS Arena. It takes time, but the Islanders are adjusting to their new home. They play nine of their next 11 games at their new building as they look to start winning.
Playoff Hopes Are Still Alive
The season is not over. The Islanders have played the least amount of games in the league with a favorable schedule ahead. The Islanders are also 12 points out of a wild card spot with five games in hand on the Detroit Red Wings. It helps that they play them two more times this month. The team is not out of the race by any means.
It will be a tough road for the Islanders nonetheless, but they need to start winning. It is very possible that the Islanders still make the NHL playoffs but there’s no more time for losing.
Writer for Drive4Five covering the New York Islanders.
