What a roller coaster the Islanders have taken us on, with six-game win streaks, six-game winless streaks, culminating in a 7-0-1 surge to earn a proper playoff spot (not just a wild card spot) with a win in game #81.
With every other Eastern playoff-dreamer also winning last night, the Islanders’ 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils was particularly satisfying — moreso because the outcome was pretty well assured while the Capitals, Penguins and Red Wings (who came back, tied it late, and won in OT) were engaged in tighter affairs.
The result is that Game #82 means nothing for the Isles’ postseason, and it might not even mean anything for Pittsburgh: The Wings (in a rematch with the Canadiens) and Capitals (vs.