It’s another huge night in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, with the Islanders hosting another “gotta get these points” opponent in the Chicago Blackhawks, who are finishing out another chapter of their multi-year tank.
The only game last night was unhelpful to the Isles, as the Smurfs managed all of 9 shots on goal in falling at home to the Senators. So, heading into tonight, Montreal (3rd/Metro, 86) Pittsburgh (2nd/Metro, 86), Columbus (3rd/Metro, 85), Boston (WC1, 86), Long Island (WC2, 85), and outsiders Detroit (84) and Ottawa (83) are separated by a range of three points.
And all of those teams have one game in hand on the Isles, who have 11 remaining to play. All of them are in action tonight, a great night for scoreboard watching and shouting at numbers on a screen.