We're weeks removed from Brock Nelson being dealt away. And instead of fading into obscurity, the Islanders have mustered up a 3-0-2 run since coming back from their California trip with no intentions of throwing in the towel in their chase for the playoffs. Strong goaltending, stingy defense, and depth scoring have all brought life to the Islanders post-season ambitions as they are within striking distance of the 2nd Wild Card. Can they see it through to the end? Ethan Sears of NY Post joins Sean and Stefen cover what's happened and what happens next!
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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
I posted on X late last week that I was in a very content spot as a fan, where I’m relatively fine with whichever way the season ends up. Fall out of contention and end up with a Top 10 pick? Sign me up. Make an improbable run to the playoffs? Sign me up for that, too.
It’s the head versus the heart.
It doesn’t matter whether making the playoffs is best for the franchise moving forward or whether they have a fighting chance to win a playoff round as a massive underdog. When they’re playing, and the game is on the line, my feelings as a fan are clear and my true colors show: I want them to win - badly.
How do I know? Because when Kyle MacLean scored late in the 3rd on Saturday, I clapped my hands and got up from my couch. Twenty-two seconds later, I threw my hands up in disbelief with a mix of disgust when Calgary tied the game.
You can’t fake that. That was my instinctive, 30+ years of fandom reaction.
The Isles are in a race for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and I’ve watched too many seasons that were full of meaningless hockey games not to root for my team to win and chase down a playoff berth, especially when the rest of the NHL doesn’t want to see them in the post-season.
