Islanders & The Craziness Of The Eastern Conference Playoff Race Will it be a requiem or a revival for the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/tom-wilson-new-york-islanders-washington-capitals-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs]? Tonight's THE night. Realistically, only one team remains as a real target for Patrick Roy's skaters to take a bead on for the Wild Card berth and that's the Red Wings. Detroit will be hosting our fallen heroes tonight, and by 11 p.m., for sure, we'll know whether they've launched another one-game winning streak or -- we hope not -- we begin X-rays of the dozens or so reasons for the abject demise of this team. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1MTc2NzA2OTg0NTg0Mzg0/usatsi_22656761-1.jpg] Frankly, it still strains credulity that not long ago, we were chirping about a six-game winning streak that lifted the club into Wild Card contention. Then, wha' happen, Baby? It could be that the team collectively spent itself capturing that sextet of W's and never refilled the gas tank. Or simply had no gas to put in the tank. Could be that Le Royal Roy isn't the answer we thought he'd be. Could be that Ilya Sorokin was overwhelmed with saves and just lost his way. You can conjecture 'til the cows come home. A win on the road in Motor City would be a terrific tonic, wouldn't it? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1MTc2NzI4OTk2MjkyMjI4/usatsi_21777704.jpg] Whatever the case, all available alibis and excuses have been tossed into the round file. They'll either have the goods or won't have the goods. Requiem or revival? We shall see! TOP STORIES
