Well that was 48 hours of frustration.<\/p>\n
At multiple points during both losses to the Penguins and Sabres, you thought the Islanders might at least get a point or more. In each case, things shifted suddenly and maddeningly.<\/p>\n
They wake up still in a playoff spot, but also still with their biggest competitors for that spot having a game or two in hand. Pittsburgh is now three points ahead with a game in hand, giving them the lead on home ice for a 2 vs. 3 matchup should the Islanders hang on.<\/p>\n
The gap between the Isles and the Canadiens and Bruins has likely widened too far, so they pretty much need to claim the Metro third spot or final wild card spot or else, with several other teams also in the running. Their six remaining games include two against the automatic-loss Hurricanes, so there\u2019s that, too.<\/p>\n
But things change quickly in the bubble of teams that only kinda deserve to be in the playoffs; there are surely more turns, surprises and frustrations in store over the next two weeks.<\/p>\n