Make it five straight wins for the New York Islanders, who have a cushion in the Eastern Conference playoff race, at least for a second.
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders extended their win streak to five games after defeating the rivaled New York Rangers 4-2.
A dominant start and a "holding on to dear life" third period became the perfect equation, as two points are the perfect result.
The Islanders were clearly the more desperate team, entering the game in third place, with a two-point lead on the Washington Capitals for third place in the Metropolitan.
An Islanders' loss and a Capitals' win against the second wild-card Red Wings would have had the Islanders on the outside looking in.
The Islanders kept their position with a win but didn't get the result they hoped for in Detroit, with Washington skating off victorious by a score of 2-1.
Islanders fans wanted Detroit to win because the Red Wings can't pass the Islanders if New York remains in a Metro playoff spot.
So, the larger the Islanders could widen the gap between them at the Capitals, the better.
However, the result could have been worse.
The last thing the Islanders needed was that game to go to overtime, especially if the Capitals had won.
Even with the win, that would have kept both teams right there. But now, more than a win separates the Islanders and the Red Wings heading into Thursday's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Flyers, who are a mess right now, got destroyed 9-3 by the Habs on Tuesday night. This game will be anything but a sure thing.
There are only six teams in action on Wednesday, and none that impact the Eastern Conference playoff race.
While the Islanders play on Thursday, the Capitals face the Buffalo Sabres, the Flyers head to Madison Square Garden to play the Rangers, and the Red Wings battle the surging Pittsburgh Penguins, who are three points back of the Islanders.
Four games to go...