The New York Islanders displayed their playoff-caliber mettle by mounting three consecutive third-period comebacks during a homestand against Western Conference foes.
The tests will continue Saturday, when the Islanders hit the road and visit the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Both teams were off Friday after extending winning streaks Thursday, when the Islanders came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-3, and the Lightning never trailed in a 4-2 win over the host Pittsburgh Penguins.
By collecting five out of a possible six points against the Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars, the Islanders moved three points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers, who are tied for the Eastern Conference's two wild-card spots, entering Friday.