from Arthur Staple of Newsday,
If the Senators lose to the Rangers in any fashion Thursday night -- that's regulation, OT or shootout -- the Islanders are in the playoffs. Failing that, the Isles need a single point from games tomorrow night in Pittsburgh and Saturday at home against Columbus to clinch.
They'll need more than a single point to avoid falling into one of the two wild-card slots, which would mean facing either the Canadiens, Lightning or Rangers in the opening round -- a hard fall after the Isles were atop the Metro Division at 32-14-1 following their 4-1 win over the Rangers back on Jan. 27.
After Tuesday's loss, the Isles are 14-14-5 since then. There have been some unlucky results, but overall that is not the standing of a team ready to do damage in the postseason.
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