Islanders Finally Clinch Playoff Berth With Help From Panthers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Thank you, Florida!
The New York Islanders -- after getting no help at all from the rival Rangers -- have clinched a playoff berth courtesy of the Panthers' 4-2 win over Boston on Thursday.
The Islanders (46-28-6, 98 points), facing a chance to get back to the postseason for the second time in three years, had been flirting with an epic collapse. But the slate is now wiped clean -- including Tuesday's brutal loss in Philadelphia -- with the second season set to get underway.
The Islanders' inclusion in the playoffs also means there will be games at Nassau Coliseum beyond Saturday. The team will begin play at Brooklyn's Barclays Center next season.
FRIEDMAN: ISLES AREN'T READY FOR PLAYOFFS
Currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division, the Islanders still have a shot to gain home ice in the first round of the playoffs, but would need to win their final two games and have second-place Washington lose its regular-season finale at home against the Rangers.
The Islanders haven't won a playoff series since 1993.
Jack Capuano's squad, which has only notched eight points since March 10, will be looking to gain some momentum by playing spoiler against Pittsburgh on Friday. To add to the drama, captain John Tavares is locked in a battle with Penguins star Sidney Crosby for the scoring title.
"We feel we've got the right personnel to get the job done," defenseman Travis Hamonic said, according to the New York Daily News. "We're just excited for the challenge. It's going to be a big weekend for us, certainly, and Friday night should be one of the fun games to play in."
The Islanders will close out the season at home against Columbus on Saturday.
