The puck slides under Pittsburgh Penguins' Colton Sceviour (7) and New York Islanders' Scott Mayfield (24) on March 27, 2021, in Pittsburgh Credit: AP/Keith Srakocic
Just 20 games remain on the Islanders’ schedule after Monday night’s rematch in Pittsburgh. During a normal regular season, they would be entering their playoff push with the associated hand-wringing over wins and losses affecting positioning.
But, in this shortened, 56-game season played solely against divisional foes, it’s been like that since Day One.
"It’s been like that since the first game because every game seems to be a four-pointer and have ramifications, positive or negative, for your hockey team," Isles coach Barry Trotz said before Monday’s game.