Florida Panthers at New York Islanders [Game 76]

			-AT-
			7:00 PM EST
Radio	Network		Arena		Network	Radio
560 AM WQAM	FS-FL		Barclays Center		MSG+	88.7 FM WRHU
League	Value		Metric		Value	League
18th	56.8%		Points Percentage		48.0%	24th
18th	16.89%		Net Power Play Percentage		18.10%	13th
8th	85.31%		Net Penalty Kill Percentage		76.64%	31st
14th	102.20%		Combined Special Teams Percentage		94.74%	26th
13th	3.05		Goals for per Game (All Situations)		3.23	8th
20th	3.07		Goals against per Game (All Situations)		3.64	31st
10th	.19		Penalty +/- per Game (All Situations)		.24	6th
18th	49.54%		Shot Attempt Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		47.21%	27th
18th	49.22%		Scoring Chance Percentage (5V5 Score Adjusted)		45.40%	29th
20th	99.66%		P.D.O. (5V5)		100.59%	12th
19th	7.53%		Shooting Percentage (5V5)		8.99%	4th
18th	92.13%		Save Percentage (5V5)		91.60%	28th
Data from Hockey-Reference.com and Natural Stat Trick
The Enemies' Lair
Litter Box Cats

Despite the season of futility, the Islanders still have the most minuscule of chances at making the playoffs. One has a better chance at winning the Power Ball than the Islanders do of making it at this juncture, but it's still possible. In a bit of turnabout, the Florida Panthers can end that chance tonight with a victory.

Despite still not being mathematically eliminated, the Islanders season has been nothing short of horrendous. Between having the likely Calder winner in Mathew Barzal, a 40 goal scorer in Anders Lee, a surprise season by Josh Bailey, John Tavares being John Tavares, and the Jordan Eberle trade paying off massively, the Islanders are still 24th in points percentage. What's worse is that they're there thanks to some puck luck and positive favour from the referees.

The Islanders come into this game ranking bottom five in every puck possession metric in five-on-five play. They're also dead last in scoring chances against per penalty kill. They have a slightly above average P.D.O. and have the sixth best penalty differential in the league. If not for the fact that they are one of the least penalized teams in the league, they'd probably be in a top five lottery spot right now.

Casey Cizikas is out tonight with an upper body injury and will be replaced by Chris Wagner. Christopher Gibson is going to start in net. No other changes will be made.

Anyway, tonight's contest will be on MSG+. Whether or not that tiniest sliver of hope will remain is anybody's guess, but many will be hoping for the kitties to put the Islanders out of their misery and maybe jump a division rival or two in the playoff standings. Here goes nothing.

Florida Panthers Projected Lineup

New York Islanders Projected Lineup