On more than one occasion after an Islanders’ victory at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum as the aging facility reverberated with chanting fans, coach Barry Trotz prophesized playing in the cozy confines would be worth an extra 10 to 12 points for the playoff push.
There have been thrilling wins in front of delirious sellout crowds, most notably a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Blue Jackets on Dec. 1 in the first regular-season game at the Coliseum since 2015, and the emotional 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Feb. 28 in John Tavares’ return.
But the Coliseum has not provided the anticipated home-ice advantage in this stretch of eight of nine in Uniondale, which continues Monday night against the desperate Blue Jackets.