This New York Islanders core is officially cooked.
They are eight points back of a playoff spot and 15th in the Eastern Conference, just two points ahead of the last-place Buffalo Sabres. Not only is the points deficit too large to close, they would have to hop over seven teams, almost all of whom are playing way better and looking a lot more inspired than this country club of a team. It was probably a stretch to think they were back in the race after their last-minute win over Utah this past Saturday, but it gave us a reason to care—and seemed to give the team a reason to care.