It may have taken until the last back-to-back of the season, but the New York Islanders have done it.
ELMONT, NY -- It may have taken until the last back-to-back of the season, but the New York Islanders have done it.
They've swept a back-to-back situation, finishing the season 1-6-3 on the second legs in what's been the wackiest upon wackiest stat seasons in quite some time.
After beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime on Monday night, Patrick Roy and his players parlayed that with a 2-1 win over Connor Bedard and the bottom-dwelling Chicago Blackhawks.
Both games were grueling victories, blowing the lead with nine seconds to go in the third period on Monday against a team they really didn't want to give a point two,
Then, with Chicago in the house, the Islanders found themselves losing for most of the game; then, finally, they broke through Petr Mrazek, with Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom scoring two unanswered third-period goals.
Two games. Two wins. Four points.
While the Islanders have to win to give themselves a shot at a playoff spot, what happens around the league is ultra-important given the hole New York has dug itself.
There were a few games to watch on Tuesday night, with one going their way and one, a lose-lose situation.
The Washington Capitals, who are currently sitting in the second wild-card spot with 82 points, lost in regulation to the Buffalo Sabres, 6-3.
That meant the Islanders moved a point back of the Capitals with one more game played. Yes, the Islanders won't hold the tie-breaker, so to really be in a playoff spot, they are two points back.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, who entered Tuesday night just two points back of the Islanders, defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-3 to keep pace.
With the loss, the Devils -- who were ahead of the Islanders in the standings a few days ago -- sit five points back of the Islanders.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Islanders are back in action against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, while the Capitals host the Penguins.
If the Islanders beat the Blue Jackets and the Capitals lose in regulation, the Islanders will wake up Friday morning in the second wild-card spot, tied with the third-place Flyers in points.
"We have a lot of work to do here," Islanders forward Bo Horvat said. "I mean, we’re chasing and we got to keep winning hockey games here in order to get in.”
Puck drop on Thursday is at 7 PM ET on MSGNSN.