CALGARY, Alberta – The Islanders were still on the outermost fringe of playoff contention the last time they embarked for Western Canada. They came home with any hopes extinguished.
Things, of course, are completely different a year later. The Islanders, who did not practice on Monday as they flew cross-continent, will open their three-game swing against the Flames on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome in first place in the Metropolitan Division, having won five of six and on a 21-5-2 run since Dec. 15. They have gone 8-2-2 in that stretch in games decided by one goal.
And they are coming off Saturday night’s 5-2 victory over the Oilers at Barclays Center in which they finally turned a 2-1 lead entering the third period into a comfortable winning margin.