‘Can’t be disappointed’: Islanders lose, still control their fate

NEW YORK – No team in the NHL this season has lost more in overtime or shootouts New York Islanders. But all those losses combined left the Islanders still in control of their post-game playoff destiny. Lost 3-2 in penalty shootout to the opponent New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

“We can’t be disappointed with that. Every point matters here in the long run. Obviously it’s very tight in the group and in the group stage, so today it’s an important point on the line with a great hockey team,” said the Islanders captain Anders Lee speak. “The extra point can come in a shootout or extra time.”

This was the 16th time the Islanders lost after regulation, more than one game Boston Bruins (15) have this season. The points they earned in a regulation tie with the Rangers gave the Islanders 90 points in 80 games, third in the Metropolitan Division. They have games in New Jersey Devils (April 15) and at home against Pittsburgh Penguins (April 17) is still on schedule.

The Islanders currently have a 5-point lead Washington, DC (3 matches remaining), Red Wing Detroit (3 matches remaining) and Philadelphia Flyer (2 matches left), three teams are currently outside the Eastern Conference’s wildcard spot.

The capital hosts the event Tampa Bay Lightning, the Red Wings are in Toronto and the Flyers host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. The Islanders can clinch a playoff spot if the Red Wings and Capitals both lose in regulation.

The Islanders lead the Penguins by four points, who host the Bruins on Saturday night while holding the final wild-card spot with 86 points. Pittsburgh hosts Nashville on April 15 before ending the season at the Islanders, in a game that could still decide everything from seeding in the Metropolitan Division to whether the Penguins or Isles remain in the postseason. season or not.

The Rangers, who tied a franchise record with their 54th win of the season, moved three points ahead of Carolina for first place in the Metro. The Rangers have just one game remaining against Ottawa on April 15, while Carolina finishes with games at Chicago (April 14) and Columbus (April 16).

The Rangers rallied to beat the Islanders on Saturday, as Artemi Panarin scored the game-tying goal at 15:43 of the third period and Vincent Trocheck had the decisive goal in the penalty shootout. Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves, including one excellent save by the Islanders star Mathew Barzal late for overtime.

But the Islanders picked up a point, and that could make the difference in the final standings.

“It was a big point for us, but in the same way we would have loved to get those two points, don’t get me wrong,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “But at the same time, like I said, it’s a tough game. Both teams have their chances.”

The Islanders have picked up three of four points against the Rangers in the past two meetings, playing well against the team with the best record in the NHL. But players like Brock Nelson doesn’t want to get ahead of itself as it looks ahead to a possible playoff run against the Rangers, a team the Islanders haven’t faced in a playoff series since the 1993-94 season.

“I guess that was probably a little too far for us,” Nelson said. We are happy now. “I think we’re watching some other games to see what happens, but for us, we’re just trying to fight for the next game and control our own destiny.”