The Islanders Melodrama Is A Bit Less Mellow (Exclusive Fischler Video, + Classic Joke)

Remarkably -- despite two road losses including last night's 2-1 defeat in Carolina -- the Islanders still have the lead, but with not much room to inhale or exhale.

If The Maven were to write a movie script about the Islanders see-saw Wild Card adventure, I'd call it "From Yay To Oy-Vay, And Hopefully To Yay Again."

The ups and downs over the past two weeks have been stunning to the core. And guess what? The Nassaumen still are in the lead in the most melodramatic Wild Card Derby in National Hockey League history.

Remarkably -- despite two road losses including last night's 2-1 defeat in Carolina -- the Islanders still have the lead, but with not much room to inhale or exhale.

Having won last night, Pittsburgh is only a point behind New York while the surging Panthers are a pair of points in arrears. Each foe has a game in hand on The Team From UBS.

"We have to find a way to win," explained Isles defender Ryan Pulock. "Now we have some days to rest and regroup."

During the three day respite before the Lightning come to Elmont on Thursday, coach Lane Lambert's priorities follow:

* Fix The Offense: The club scored only two goals in regulation and overtime in three games.

* Fix The Power Play: It's oh-for-nine in the last five games. Last night a successful PP late in the third period could have tied the game.

* Boost team energy: After the game last night, Canes coach said, "We were more desperate!" Yet this is desperation time for Lambert's sextet.

"Our chances were few and far between," the Isles coach allowed, "and still we were one shot away (from tying the game."

Despite the isles precarious Wild Card position, the team merits praise. After all, they remain in the thick of battle despite the long-term loss of scoring ace Matt Barzal.

Furthermore it was freely predicted that when Matty went down with injury, that his team would go down with him. Quite the opposite.

Individual performers are playing well. Ever-hustling Jean-Gabriel Pageau opened the scoring last night and is a consistent face-off winner. Pierre Engvall has a point in his last four games and is a sure-fire Lou Lamoriello find with five goals and three assists in his last 11 games.

Defenseman Scott Mayfield boosted his career-high assist total to 17 and led his team with four blocked shots last night. Adam Pelech is doing ironman work on the blue line. Last night he led the team with 25:28 of ice time.

And while goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin didn't steal the game he was formidable throughout stopping 33 or 35 shots.

As for the homestretch scheduling, the Islanders could get a break since their last three games are against non-playoff teams -- Philadelphia, at UBS on Saturday; then at Washington, next Monday with the closer at home vs. Montreal on Wednesday, April 12.

Tomorrow night the Penguins play the Devils in Newark while the Sabres are in Sunrise where they'll clash with the Panthers. Scoreboard-watching or not, the Isles must rest and re-group big-time. Close-but-no-cigar losses are no solace.

"We made mistakes on their scoring chances," Lambert lamented. "We could have done a better job in that area."

Not to mention the power play and puck possession. Fix them up and my script will be re-titled, "From Yay To Oy-Vay -- And Back To Yay Again!"