Entering the season I was skeptical whether the New York Islanders would be able to gain enough points to stay in the playoff picture, let alone compete for a top-3 spot in the Metro Divison. Yet after 45 games this feisty New York team is not only competing for a top-3 spot in the Metro; they are within arm’s reach of the top of the division, relative to NHL-.500:
13 CBJ, WSH
12
11 NYI
10 PIT
9
...
3 CAR
What is more, this under-the-radar team has been the most successful of the five Metro playoff contenders since Devon Toews entered the lineup Dec.