The numbers are saying this is a must-win game for the Islanders.
The numbers are saying this is a must-win game for the Islanders.
After months of waiting, the New York Islanders and New York Rangers will go head-to-head in the Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium. While the novelty of playing in an outdoor game is there for both teams, for the Islanders, there's so much more at stake.
After Patrick Roy was named the team's head coach, the Islanders are 3-3-2 and enter MetLife on a two-game losing streak and five points out of a Wild Card spot. They will need to pass the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings with a game in hand on both.
While it's not insurmountable, as last year's playoff push can attest, the odds of making the dance loom large on the big stage, and MoneyPuck.com agrees the "biggest game of the year" cliche applies in this situation.
Their current playoff chances are a slim 14%, and a win could give those odds a shot in the arm. A loss in overtime or shootout is not a disaster situation, but with all the points left on the table earlier in the year, it's not an ideal outcome.
With the Islanders not coming out strong in both of their recent losses, getting off to a hot start means everything for both the game and their playoff chances.
Faceoff between the Islanders and Rangers from East Rutherford is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.