On the latest Islanders Anxiety podcast, Dan and Mike dissected the “we’re not far off” talking point that came out of clean out day, where Islanders players implied that because each game against the Hurricanes was close, the team itself is close to that level.
We all know that’s not it.
You can lose (and win) playoff series on bounces and tough luck and injuries and whatever, and yes, only one team wins it all, only eight teams even win a round, etc. The Isles under Barry Trotz were often on the right side of that knife’s edge (remember needing seven games just to get past Philly!