The New York Islanders are back in control of their playoff destiny: If they win their final four games of the season, they are guaranteed a wild card spot.
The Florida Panthers hosted and beat the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1, which wasn’t great for the Islanders (but should effectively end, again, the Sabres’ season). However, the New Jersey Devils, fresh off an ass-beating by the Winnipeg Jets, came back mad and hungry and embarrassed the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-1, behind a Dawson Mercer hat trick.
These results have Florida in the first wild card, by virtue of having one more regulation win than the Islanders, the Islanders in the second wild card, tied with Florida with 87 points, and the Pens on the outside looking in with 86 points.