Stefen Rosner On The Islanders Backing Lou In Vegas After knocking off the Boston Bruins on Sunday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] (16-18-7) have an opportunity on Saturday night to sweep their three-game road trip when they face the Utah Hockey Club. After general manager Lou Lamoriello backed his team and coaching staff ahead of Thursday's game, Patrick Roy's squad put forth their greatest showing of the season to shut out Vegas. Now, they will face a Utah team on the second leg of a back-to-back. Utah did beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in overtime on Friday night, with Karel Vejmelka getting the start. Not only will Utah be a little fatigued—it helps that their back-to-back doesn't require travel—but they are also without their leading goal-scorer, Dylan Guenther. Goaltender Connor Ingram, who hasn't started since Nov. 18, will get the start against the Islanders, which means there may be some rust in his game. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ingram, who took time away from the team due to the loss of his mother. The Islanders have not been a team that often takes advantage of the opposition's situation, but they really need to do so on Saturday night. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMDQyNDc5MDMyMDg0NDU2/usatsi_24457882.jpg] It would be the first time this season that they've strung together three straight wins. Despite two straight wins, the Islanders still find themselves five points out of a wild-card spot. The Islanders return to UBS Arena for seven straight games after this road game. It's great that the Islanders have been playing better hockey lately, but just because they are playing better doesn't mean their standings situation is improving. Unfortunately for them, other teams fighting for a wild-card spot are currently holding one are playing great hockey. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who hold the second wild-card spot with 44 points, are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and are riding a three-game winning streak. The Montreal Canadiens, who sit a point out of a wild-card spot with 43, are 8-2-0 over their last 10 games and have also won three straight. The Detroit Red Wings, who have 42 points, have won six straight games and are unbeaten in their last six outings. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMDQyNTA0MjY1MDE2ODY3/screenshot-2025-01-11-at-91051am.png] Because of the points the Islanders game away in the first half of the season, there's no time for setbacks. Four teams are streaking, and if the Islanders want to remain part of the conversation, they must follow suit. If the Islanders can play the way they played in Vegas or close, there's no question they'll be able to stay in the wild-card race and start passing teams like the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators, who are struggling to find their game. But, the mindset, as it has always been, is one game at a time. Puck drop between the Islanders and Utah is coming your way at 9 PM ET.
