Ben Shelley: Islanders’ playoff fate comes down to final two games after win over Flyers

Ben Shelley: Islanders’ playoff fate comes down to final two games after win over Flyers
- Ben Shelley

Never should have come down to the wire like this. Reminds me of the Dubliewitz game to clinch in NJ. If they do get in, i hope its its as the 7th seed, not the 8th, and I dont fear the Canes as much as the B's

The possibility still exists that the Devils overtake Carolina and it's Isles Devs in Rd1.

That would be pretty epic.

The possibility still exists that the Devils overtake Carolina and it's Isles Devs in Rd1.

That would be pretty epic.
- Mancalledsting

More worried about just getting in than who we play at the moment

Here's the bare minimum to guarantee a spot:

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
31s
#Isles must get three points in their final two games to clinch.

The possibility still exists that the Devils overtake Carolina and it's Isles Devs in Rd1.

That would be pretty epic.
- Mancalledsting

If Florida wins its last 2 games in regulation, the Isles cannot get the first wild card. Tonight Florida is playing Toronto, but the Leafs have nothing to play for, having clinched 2nd place in the Atlantic. They may very well rest some key players rather than risk injury in a meaningless game.

More worried about just getting in than who we play at the moment

Here's the bare minimum to guarantee a spot:

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
31s
#Isles must get three points in their final two games to clinch.
- eichiefs9

Well, yeah, of course.

Well, yeah, of course.
- JohnScammo

Hey I don't want to jinx anything by talking about opponents before we're in

Hey I don't want to jinx anything by talking about opponents before we're in
- eichiefs9

Sure, sure. I understand you've already been planning the Stanley Cup parade along Hempstead Turnpike.

Sure, sure. I understand you've already been planning the Stanley Cup parade along Hempstead Turnpike.
- JohnScammo

Bridgeport Islanders @AHLIslanders
8m
Transaction: Forward Matthew Maggio has signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with Bridgeport.

This should be an interesting one to follow. Led the OHL as a 20yo with 54g, 111pts in 66gp

Matt Weyrich @ByMattWeyrich
14m
Alex Ovechkin (upper-body injury) isn’t on the ice for Capitals’ morning skate today after missing Saturday’s game against the Panthers. WSH recalled Joe Snively from Hershey earlier.

Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower body) & Anthony Mantha (lower body) are both in non-contact jerseys.

Matt Weyrich @ByMattWeyrich
14m
Alex Ovechkin (upper-body injury) isn’t on the ice for Capitals’ morning skate today after missing Saturday’s game against the Panthers. WSH recalled Joe Snively from Hershey earlier.

Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower body) & Anthony Mantha (lower body) are both in non-contact jerseys.
- eichiefs9

Isn’t Oshie out as well?

If Florida wins its last 2 games in regulation, the Isles cannot get the first wild card. Tonight Florida is playing Toronto, but the Leafs have nothing to play for, having clinched 2nd place in the Atlantic. They may very well rest some key players rather than risk injury in a meaningless game.
- JohnScammo

They may.

But with their playoff record, I dunno if sitting guys is the best approach.

Matt Weyrich @ByMattWeyrich
14m
Alex Ovechkin (upper-body injury) isn’t on the ice for Capitals’ morning skate today after missing Saturday’s game against the Panthers. WSH recalled Joe Snively from Hershey earlier.

Trevor van Riemsdyk (lower body) & Anthony Mantha (lower body) are both in non-contact jerseys.
- eichiefs9

Who was it that reported that the Capitals sat Ovechkin against the Panthers just to spite the Penguins?

Who was it that reported that the Capitals sat Ovechkin against the Panthers just to spite the Penguins?
- Wildschwein

That would have been friggin' hilarious if true.

- eichiefs9

Isn’t Oshie out as well?
- Cptmjl

Been a little out of touch but it looks like he didn't play last game and isn't on the ice this morning so could definitely be the case

Been a little out of touch but it looks like he didn't play last game and isn't on the ice this morning so could definitely be the case
- eichiefs9

Yes, he's out as well. Isles need to kick it into gear early and throw everything at them.

Panthers have Carolina Thursday who may need to win. Let's just hope the Islanders win tonight and take care of their own business.
Has anyone heard anything on Barzal?

Panthers have Carolina Thursday who may need to win. Let's just hope the Islanders win tonight and take care of their own business.
Has anyone heard anything on Barzal?
- chazpet

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
32m
Alex Romanov has not resumed skating, per Lane Lambert. Mathew Barzal continues to skate on his own.

Tom Gulitti @TomGulittiNHL
10m
Lambert on if it is safe to assume Barzal and Romanov won't play before the end of the regular season (Isles play their regular-season finale vs. Canadiens on Wednesday):

“I don’t know that you can assume anything right now. A couple games left, we’ll see what happens.”

That would have been friggin' hilarious if true.



- Nasty_Duck

Personally, I don’t believe it to be true.

But I REALLY want it to be true.

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
32m
Alex Romanov has not resumed skating, per Lane Lambert. Mathew Barzal continues to skate on his own.

Tom Gulitti @TomGulittiNHL
10m
Lambert on if it is safe to assume Barzal and Romanov won't play before the end of the regular season (Isles play their regular-season finale vs. Canadiens on Wednesday):

“I don’t know that you can assume anything right now. A couple games left, we’ll see what happens.”
- eichiefs9

I’m gonna assume that means they won’t play.

Which is fine.

I’m gonna assume that means they won’t play.

Which is fine.
- Wildschwein

Problem is the start of the playoffs is three days after the end of the regular season(next Monday) this coming Friday. They more then likely won’t be ready for game 1 if neither are ready this week which would suck.

Problem is the start of the playoffs is three days after the end of the regular season(next Monday) this coming Friday. They more then likely won’t be ready for game 1 if neither are ready this week which would suck.
- Cptmjl

At this point, I'm not expecting Romanov back anytime soon. If he's not even skating then he's still, at the very least, a couple weeks from getting into a game.

Still holding out hope that Barzal can make his return at home on Wednesday, if not then ideally he'd be back for the first game of any potential playoff series.