Who will Islanders meet in playoffs?
Islanders' Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, Josh Bailey and Michael Grabner celebrate a shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets. (April 20, 2013) Credit: AP
WHO WILL THEY PLAY?
Even with only two games left in the season, the Isles still could finish anywhere from fifth to eighth and could play one of four teams in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals:
Pittsburgh is locked into the top seed in the East despite losing Sidney Crosby to a broken jaw, suffered the last time the Isles visited on March 30. He is back skating and appears on track to return for the postseason, not that the Pens have missed him terribly, with their 35-11-0 record.
Isles' record: 1-2-0
Boston has been its usual dominant self at times this season, though the Isles eked out a 2-1 win in Boston two weeks ago. Tuukka Rask has been among the best goaltenders in the league and the Bruins, like most teams in the condensed season, have overcome injuries to key players. They also have Islander-killer Jaromir Jagr after a deadline deal.
Isles' record: 2-0-1
Isles' record: 2-1-0
Thomas Hickey's lone NHL goal will be long remembered this season; the OT winner in Montreal on Feb. 21 kick-started the Isles' upswing and surprised the red-hot Canadiens, who really haven't been as dominant since. The teams match up well, though P.K. Subban and his lethal slap shot would have to be dealt with better.
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