It is way too early to obsess over the standings, right? Yes and no.
On one hand the Islanders acknowledged as they ventured into the post-All-Star Game dog days that it is okay to start taking a peek at what is going on elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division, because April no longer is that far off.
On the other hand, the division has “been just a mess,” as coach Doug Weight said before Tuesday night’s dreary 4-1 loss to the Panthers at Barclays Center, which did nothing to help the cause.
By that he meant it has been exceedingly close, with the Islanders having begun the game tied for sixth place with the Rangers and yet only two points out of second place and eight points out of first.