How Good Has Marcus Hogberg Been? Looking at the calendar, there are 42 days until the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. However, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] only have nine games before the NHL's Four Nations Face-Off and 12 before officially deciding whether to be buyers or sellers. Patrick Roy's team is currently eight points back of the second wild-card spot with three games in hand. Selling seems like the right move regardless of playoff standing, especially with two pending unrestricted free agents, one of whom is Brock Nelson. But, as general manager Lou Lamoriello says, "If you have time, use it." The Islanders, who started their seven-game homestand with two regulation losses, have won their last two games and now begin a stretch of nine games against eight playoff teams and one playoff hopeful. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMzQzNTI0NTY0MTQ5ODg4/usatsi_25234661.jpg] The Islanders will play the Philadelphia Flyers twice, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Colorado Avalanche, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers, the Vegas Golden Knights, the Winnipeg Jets, and the Minnesota Wild. So far, the Islanders are a combined 3-3-0 against those teams this season, splitting their two games against Carolina, destroying the Avalanche and Golden Knights, losing to Philadelphia just last week, and falling to the Florida Panthers early in the season. They have not played Tampa Bay, Winnipeg, or Minnesota this season. While every game is essential, and Roy will certainly be taking a day-by-day approach, these next nine games can prove to the Islanders and to the league just how good this team can be when they are at full strength. I pondered that question in a column for The Elmonters, wondering if these teams would ever get fully healthy and, if so if it would be too late. With Noah Dobson now out injured, a week-to-week diagnostic, that answer will have to wait. But when Maxim Tsyplakov returns from his suspension on Saturday night against Carolina, the forward group will be at full strength to start a game for just the ninth time this season. They're 4-3-1 through eight games. The Islanders' season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster through 46 games. If they want to continue playing in April, this is a significant stretch of games to show the management that they can compete with playoff teams and give the team a chance to contend. On the other hand, if the team cannot string together a few wins over this stretch, the chances that pending unrestricted free agents Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmeri are on the move will grow exponentially as we approach the Four Nations Tournament and trade deadline. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMTYyOTcwODQ5OTEyODA4/google-news.svg] Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
