The New York Islanders returned from their COVID break still lacking a full lineup, albeit with some welcome faces back, and still experiencing the same struggle to score.
There was one significant change though: For the first time in nine tries and the first time in five games at UBS Arena, the Islanders salvaged a point. An actual standings point! They ultimately lost to the San Jose Sharks, 2-1 in overtime, but that’s the kind of loss that represents progress, and not just the moral kind.
The headlines will still say “losing streak” — ‘cause that point is just for losers, I hear — but the reality of Gary Bettman’s The People Demand A Winner NHL is that standings points matter, including the ones you get for being tied in regulation before the shinny bonus round begins.