It’s scoreboard-watching season, and the New York Islanders got some favorable results on Thursday night ahead of their back-to-back against the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames Friday and Saturday at UBS Arena.
The Pittsburgh Penguins fell 6-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights, leaving them tied with the Islanders for points at 79. After Friday night, the Islanders will have played one more game but will have the chance to be alone in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a point or a win against Los Angeles.
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Although the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets did earn a point in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers to extend their point streak to eight games (4-0-4), they still remain two points back of the Islanders with 65 games played.
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The Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins — the No. 1 and No. 2 wild-card teams in the Eastern Conference currently — both lost in regulation, keeping them at 79 and 78 points, respectively.
While the Islanders hope to make the playoffs as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the Metro, it’s important that finishing in a wild-card spot is a possibility. A few months ago, it looked like it was a lock that two Atlantic Division teams were taking those two spots.
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The Washington Capitals lost 2-1 to the lethal Buffalo Sabres, keeping them four points back of the Islanders with two more games played.
The Islanders control their own destiny with 17 games to go. Puck drop against the Kings comes your way at 7 PM ET.
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