The Islanders’ unlikely “Don’t Call It A Comeback, We’ve Been Here Before” chase for a wild card spot continues tonight in what should be a pivotal game: The current wild card holding Montreal Canadiens are in town, three points ahead of the Isles with the same number of games played.
An Isles regulation win (ha) tonight brings them to one point behind Montreal for that second spot, while the Blue Jackets — same record as the Isles after losing four straight — host the Panthers and the Rangers host the Leafs.
This is the first in a four-game homestand, with all four games against teams (Calgary, Columbus, Vancouver too) in the very thick of their conference’s wild card race.