Islanders cling to playoff spot despite loss, but rivals' wins could erase their advantage. Can they secure their position with crucial upcoming games?
BUFFALO, NY -- The New York Islanders were bailed out by the out-of-town scoreboard on Tuesday night after their 4-3 regulation loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
The Columbus Blue Jackets remain a point back of the Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division after a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers all remain two points behind the Islanders after losing 6-3, 5-1, and 6-4, respectively.
However, those results, while helpful to the Islanders, are a bit misleading.
The Blue Jackets have a game in hand, while Ottawa, Detroit, and Philadelphia each have two games in hand.
Now, games in hand only matter if you win them, but the Islanders certainly aren't safe in a playoff spot with six games to go.
They'll need the scoreboard to keep breaking in their favor, but a win over the Flyers at home on Friday before heading to Raleigh for their final road game on Saturday night against the Hurricanes would do a world of good.