Islanders Practicing Power Play If the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-day/new-york-islanders-new-jersey-devils-varlamov-allen-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs] beat the New Jersey Devils tonight, they will clinch the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. Yes, after the wild roller coaster of the season, the Islanders' destiny is ultimately in their hands. The Devils, who stayed in the wild-card race for most of the season, fell out fast and aren't playing for anything besides trying to ruin the Islander's chances. It won't be a walk-in-the-park matchup for New York, especially since the Islanders are 0-2-1 against their Metro area foe this season. Last year, the Islanders were in a similar position, needing to beat the Montreal Canadiens in the last game of the regular season and see the Pittsburgh Penguins fall to the Chicago Blackhawks to make the playoffs, which did happen. The Islanders were also in a similar position 17 years ago. In their final game of the regular season in 2007, the Islanders needed a win over the Devils to punch a ticket to the dance. This game is referred to as the "Dubie Poke-Check" game. Richard Park scored consecutive goals for New York, one in the first and one in the third, before Devils forward John Madden scored two of his own in the third to force extra time, the latter coming with just one second left in regulation. After a scoreless overtime frame, the game went to a shootout. First, Miroslav Satan was stopped by Scott Clemmensen before former Islanders forward and Devils star Zach Parise scored on Wade Dubielewicz before Victor Kozlov put New York up 2-1. Dubiewicz then stopped Brian Gionta before Clemmensen did the same against Ryan Smyth. Sergei Brylin was up next for the Devils, their final chance to keep the shootout alive. A stop by Dubiewicz meant the Islanders were headed to the playoffs. He did just that with a vicious poke-check: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cthLQfEEsgw[/embed] The Islanders didn't last long in the playoffs, losing 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres. But they got to the big stage, which meant anything was possible, and that's what the Islanders will try to do tonight in Newark. TOP STORIES
