Islanders Gameday News: Cat scratch fever; Frozen (not the movie)

The Panthers, tonight’s opponent, are the only team in the East not currently in playoff position that actually has a decent chance at getting there. With 83 points, they sit three points behind the Devils for the last wild card, but with two games in hand and one more ROW. The Flyers and Blue Jackets have each played one more game than New Jersey (and three more than Florida) but are probably safe with their six-point bubble cushion. The Hurricanes, Florida’s next-closest competitors, are six points back of Florida. The Rangers are three points behind Carolina at 74 points.

And then there’s Maude. Leave your FIG picks here.

Islanders News

• Calling the Isles playoff hopes “dim” might even be too generous, but I appreciate the optimism in these most trying of times. (If they lose, they’re mathematically eliminated and the suffering is over). [Gross]
• The Islanders and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment are proud to host Marjory Stoneman Douglas Night at tonight’s game. As part of the offer, the proceeds from tickets purchased through this link will go directly to the victims and their families of the horrific tragedy at the Parkland high school.
• The Sound Tigers had been struggling until their desperate win against the Wilkes-Barre baby Penguins. [CT Post]
• Nick Pastujov added an insurance goal to help the Michigan Wolverines win the Northeast Regional of the NCAA Tournament and book a trip to the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fun fact: the Northeast Regional was played at the DCU Center in Worcester, home arena of our Railers. [Telegram]

Around the Hockey World

Last night’s NHL scores. Pittsburgh topped Philly in a Battle of Pennsylvania and potential Metro Division Semifinal; and the Jets bested the Predators in what should be, at the very least, the Western Conference Final, but what will be the Central Division Final, because of the NHL’s wonderful playoff format.

• The Metropolitan Riveters have won the 2018 Isobel Cup, beating the defending champions, the Buffalo Beauts, 1-0 thanks to an early goal from league MVP Alexa Gruschow and a 28-save shutout by Katie Fitzgerald. Finally, a Cup returns to the New York area. [NWHL]
• The second-to-last Metro Division Snapshot of the season includes the wild card race between the Devils and Panthers, who are both fighting desperately to be splattered on the wall by the Lightning or Bruins. [AATJ]
• Josh Gorges career may have come to a fitting end, with his last game likely having been Friday’s against the Canadiens, his long-time team. To be fair, I didn’t know Gorges was still playing, so that is an accomplishment in its own right. But really, it’s a nice read. [L’Athlétique]