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Islanders News: Pointless in Ottawa

The losing continues as the Islanders’ hold on a wild card spot gets more tenuous.

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NHL: MAR 05 Islanders at Senators
Trying but crashing
Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New York Islanders’ 2019-20 season outside of last fall’s 17-game points streak continues to look alarmingly below average.

Last night in Ottawa, where the Islanders played pretty well in stretches but made mistakes and ran into a vintage goalie performance, was no different.

It’s not over and, of course, the Islanders are still in playoff position — thanks to the points banked last fall — but this spell is getting ugly. No wins in five games, and just two in their last 10.

Islanders News

About last night: Barry not happy.

  • Don’t look now but the playoff position is getting weaker. [LHH | Newsday | Isles | NHL | The Skinny]
  • Jean-Gabriel Pageau enjoyed revisiting his old stomping ground, though he didn’t get the in-game result he desired. [Isles | Newsday | Sportsnet]
  • Thomas Hickey was recalled and available on emergency conditions, but he did not play. [Isles]
  • In a difficult season, the Sound Tigers’ identity has been slow to develop. [CT Insider]
  • A look at the weekend ahead in Bridgeport. [CT Insider]
  • How to sign up for Girls Hockey Day on March 14. [Isles]
  • 16 Stats mentions one about the Isles: They’re getting shutout at about twice the rate of a typical playoff team. [Athletic]

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores include the Flyers winning their eighth straight (and keeping Carolina at bay), a Penguins win, and Mika Zibanejad scoring five including the OT winner over the Capitals.

  • Also, injuries galore: Pesce done for the season for the Hurricanes, James van Riemsdyk out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger, Sami Vatanen suffers another setback to delay his Carolina debut, and Will Butcher is done for the Devils.
  • The salary cap is projected to rise, of course, though the numbers could vary quite a bit, of course. The league hopes in the future they can do more predictable three-year projections or something. [NHL | TSN]
  • Did we link 31 Thoughts yet? Not a lot, though a slight suggestion the Islanders were interested in Joe Thornton at the deadline. [Sportsnet] Friedman discussed unhappiness with the bye weeks, something also raided by LeBrun at the Athletic.
  • Roberto Luongo reflects on his career and retirement as the Panthers prepare to raise his #1 to the rafters. [Athletic]