For observers and fans of the New York Islanders, the recent homestand plus a game in Buffalo carried so much weight because of what would follow on the schedule: Tonight’s visit by the Carolina Hurricanes, and Monday’s visit to Toronto.
While the Penguins have banked points against lower teams, the Islanders struggled against would-be-peer opponents, going 1-2-3 over the five games at home and the overtime loss in Buffalo.
The Islanders beat the Hurricanes soundly very early this season, but their most recent meeting, on Long Island, was a humbling 3-0 loss in December.