The Islanders have been in playoff mode for weeks now, trying to nail down one of the two Eastern Conference wild card spots. Had it not been for a number of points that got away from them, the Islanders would already have the "x" next to their name in the standings, and they might even have been able to catch the Devils or Rangers for second and third place in the Metropolitan Division.
But the reality is that with two games to go in the regular season, the Islanders have not yet punched their ticket to the playoffs – but their destiny is in their hands, and they can take a big step closer to that Monday night with a win over the Capitals in Washington.
"It's playoff intensity for everybody," said Islanders forward Brock Nelson after Saturday night's 4-0 win over the Flyers at UBS Arena. "That's something we keep in mind and we know. We have to keep playing hard and we gotta win hockey games to make the playoffs. We gotta prove that we're a good team. We're playing well and we gotta keep that intensity up."
The Islanders are currently tied with the Florida Panthers at 91 points, but the Panthers have the tie-breaker with one more win than the Isles, so they currently have the top wild card with the Isles No. 2. The Pittsburgh Penguins are one point back, so the Islanders' "magic number" to beat out the Pens for a playoff spot is three points.
With a win tonight, the Islanders could trim that down to one point.
"Every game is so important," said forward Hudson Fasching. "It's going to come down to the final game and we gotta do whatever we can to get these wins and give ourselves the best chance to get there."
Over the last few days, the Islanders haven't been getting any help on the out-of-town scoreboard. Before they stepped on the ice on Saturday night, they already knew that the Penguins had beaten the Red Wings 5-1. Then, on Saturday night, the Panthers scored the go-ahead goal with a minute to go and beat the Capitals 4-2.
Even without any help, the Islanders hold their playoff fate in their own hands; win their final two games against the Capitals and Canadiens, and they're in.
"You would like to get some help, but I think we've done a pretty good job of not worrying too much about that and just focusing in on our game each and every night," said forward Brock Nelson. "We're in a spot now where we can control our own fate. Two games left and we've put ourselves in a spot to have a good chance."
The Islanders control their own destiny, and if they take care of business in their final two regular season games, UBS Arena will host a Stanley Cup Playoff game for the first time. Of course, the Islanders hope they can get some help and get that first wild card spot to avoid the Bruins, who on Sunday set a new NHL record with their 63rd win.
But the Islanders just want to get in, and they have the best path: their fate in their own hands.
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