Is There Still Hope for the Islanders Reaching the Playoffs

By Djack

Let me start off by saying what a year it's been for the Islanders. This team got off to a God awful start after a really nice playoff run the year prior. Granted the Isles lost some pieces, but still with Tavares, Bailey, Lee, and Leddy they were expected to remain relatively competitive. Greiss put together a very nice stretch at the end of last year that left Islander fans optimistic about the upcoming season. Unfortunately, nothing went to plan and the Islanders were awful, rumors of the franchise moving were floating around, and then the head coach Jack Capuano was fired. I actually thought he did a solid job and he was unjustly fired, however when the team did a complete 180 after that and started racking up points it was hard to say it wasn't the right move. Islanders found themselves in the second wildcard spot with 9 games left to play, and one of the all time midseason turnarounds was about to be complete. Everything was going so smoothly... until Boston came to town.


The Islanders lost that game to Boston in heartbreaking fashion and lost the wildcard spot along with it. The Bruins now controlled their own destiny and they've taken full advantage of the situation. They haven't lost since building their lead over the Islanders to 6 points. The only way I can see the Isles sneaking in is by an act of God.


The Islanders have 4 games left to play and the bruins have 3. All the Bruins games are totally losable and all the Islanders remaining games are winnable, the toughest one being tonight against the Predators. Bruins need to lose the remaining games they have left in order for the Islanders to even have a chance of getting in. The Islanders would then have to win at least 3 of 4 and lose in OT the 1 game they didn't win. They'd also need to hope that the Lighting don't wind up with more than 93 points, which isn't going to be hard for them since they're at 88 with 4 games to play.


Yeah, so the Islanders chances are super slim, a nearly impossible feat. I'm a believer though, especially when it comes to hockey, I'm a believer. The wildest shit I've seen in sports is always hockey or baseball, so if a miracle is bound to happen why can't it be the Islanders somehow pulling a playoff berth out of their ass. Boston losing and the Isles winning tonight is the first step towards glory.