The New York Islanders currently sit in the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In the minefield that is the Metro Division this year every game is important. On any given night, a team could let valuable points slip away to another team vying for the same playoff spot they are.
As previously discussed, the Isles have the fourth toughest remaining schedule in the NHL. Their opponents average winning percentage is a fear-inducing .567. If they want to put any space between themselves and the rest of the pack, the Islanders need to play with playoff-level intensity every single night.