What can I write that has not been written? Columbus is 17-2-4 at the time of this writing, and is now the third seed. Anyone watching close enough it was inevitable they were going to pass New York unless they matched them. I see Columbus making a run at the Canes, and passing the Pens, who do lose but have shown they can beat the top teams like Colorado, and are now healthy. New York has a problem being top three team which I felt was the best way to a playoff spot. Ok, that's now likely gone, and the goal should be get the 7th-8th seed.
#NYC #NYI #isles Do I consider tonight or tomorrow must win games? No. Having written NY wants to stay in the mix w/Carolina, Pittsburgh for a second/third seed they cannot fall far behind them. Wings, Boston are likely to lose some games but Sens, Caps, Flyers someone will win.
— New York Islander Fan Central (@NYIFANCENTRAL) March 21, 2026
We saw the Senators game, they lost their overtime point(s) on a shot going wide that hit Pelech, and bounced to Tkaczuk. Anyone acting like this is not how they get points/win has not been watching. Tons of Sorokin with two goals from somewhere (Schenn has produced) but no points against a team that lost in Washington the night before.
This was the game they won at Montreal recently with Schaefer's two goals, it's the game they won all season, it is likely they only way they can win or qualify for a playoff spot. Can they beat Columbus? Unlikely, however they did win a game (overtime) at Jackets at a time they had a little rust off the break.
Then we'll see, Belmont despite spin is having problems selling tickets, and fast/skilled teams like Hawks, Dallas (any team) can beat the low scoring NYI on a given game.
Still a lot of hockey to play, despite spin NYI schedule is rough. Will they qualify? Unless they keep winning ugly, no. Is it possible they win ugly? Yes, but I don't see them getting back into the top three in their division unless Columbus becomes the team they were before Bowness was hired where they were dead last in their division. Fourteen over was a playoff spot the last two years, not this time. They are far above my expectations but this is about winning the cup, not one and out in the playoffs, that's what they added all these character veterans instead of adding in rentals or bringing up scoring forwards.
#NYC #NYI #isles It's one thing to hunt other teams, it's another to become the hunted. Maybe that puts some pressure on Columbus that breaks what they have had going since January. New York once made a trade and went 23-6-3 after the trade was made before going 1-14.
— New York Islander Fan Central (@NYIFANCENTRAL) March 21, 2026
#NYC #NYI #isles New York going 1-5-0 against Winnipeg/Kings/Vancouver will be the reason if they do not qualify for the playoffs. The lack of goals scored will be the reason with Bennett's 30th ranked powerplay today. And the same team + awful Palmieri will be back w/Romanov.
— New York Islander Fan Central (@NYIFANCENTRAL) March 21, 2026
As for the prospect site. It will continue as always with the Hamilton section being added when they have a news conference.