Islanders Fall 3-2 To Golden Knights For my money, this is the most intriguing Metropolitan Division playoff race since there was no traffic on the Long Island Expressway. With that in mind -- and the National Hockey League season being more than half over -- two important off-ice games will take place from now until springtime. One happens while the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-patrick-roy-vegas-golden-knights-turnovers-dobson-pelech-aho-mayfield] are in action, and the other game you play after the Isles are through for the night. The first -- which The Maven calls "Scoreboard-watching” -- involves the numbers (scores) flashing for teams which are the Islanders' direct playoff rivals in the division and conference. In the Met, we have to worry about the Flyers, Canes, Devils, Capitals, and Penguins. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAzODU4MDA5MjE3MDUwMTcy/usatsi_22168978.jpg] On the other side: the Lightning, Leafs, Red Wings -- and Thursday's Isles foe -- the Canadiens. After the games, we then check the all-important standings. Remember not to overlook "Games Played." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of the opposition, every day, there are news flashes that affect the races. The most obvious one is called "injuries," and then there are some cloudy ones. For example, the Flyers just revealed that their top goalie, Carter Hart, will be out "indefinitely" due to "personal reasons." (No further information is provided.) Philly's crease now will be headed by Samuel Ersson. Theoretically, that could give the Islanders an edge. The Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Samuel Holmstrom PK combo continues to impress. Sammy assisted on J-G's goal against Vegas. Holmstrom's seven shorthanded points are a league leader. TOP STORIES
