from Katie Strang of ESPN,

The lockout-shortened season, with its compressed schedule and unique challenges, was bound to offer up a few surprises.

Here’s one to consider: the New York Islanders sneaking into the playoffs.

With roughly one month remaining and one week until the April 3 trade deadline, the Islanders find themselves in sole possession of ninth place and only two points behind the eight-place Rangers.

Sure, there have still been the phantom, cap-cushioning trades, the laughably low payroll and the maddening third-period meltdowns -- all things that have earned the organization derision across the league -- but there’s also been a resilience from a team that simply refuses to bow out.

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