New York Islanders Extend Season With Overtime Win Over Predators
Apr 1, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) battles for a loose puck with New York Islanders defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (4) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders took care of business, but that likely won’t be enough.

  • New York Islanders 2 (38-29-12, 88 points)
  • Nashville Predators 1 (40-29-11, 91 points)
  • NHL, Final (OT), Box Score
  • Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Well, well, well.

It was obvious that the Islanders weren’t going to go down without a fight, and they didn’t. In a come-from-behind victory over the Predators, the Isles displayed the same tenacity and resiliency that propelled them during their late-season surge.

However, and it’s a very substantial however, this late-late season surge may be a little too late. Everything needs to go right, and well, that’s a little too unrealistic.

Still, it’s nice to see some desperation. Would it have been better if it came two weeks ago? You betcha. But the saying is simple: better late than never.

Hmmm… In what seemed to be a belated April Fools prank, Doug Weight dressed seven defensemen and placed Thomas Hickey… yes, that Thomas Hickey, on the team’s second line.

Well, then… After an extended hiatus in Bridgeport, Jaroslav Hálak has garnered significant playing time with the NHL team, where he’s been en fuégo. The veteran netminder has started the last four games, giving up six goals in the process.

Captain clutch… How many times have we heard this before? With the Isles season on the line, Mr. Overtime, Thomas Hickey, delivered like he usually does.

It’s complicated… Behind the shocking return of Clarke MacArthur, the Senators blanked the Red Wings, 2-0, to improve to 42-27-10. Meanwhile, Boston defeated Tampa Bay, 4-0, clinching a postseason berth in the process.

The standings… Here’s where the Isles currently stand:

6. Ottawa Senators — 42-27-10, 94 points, 37 ROW
7. Boston Bruins (x) — 44-30-6, 94 points, 42 ROW
8. Toronto Maple Leafs — 39-25-15, 93 points, 39 ROW
9. New York Islanders — 38-29-12, 88 points, 36 ROW
10. Tampa Bay Lightning — 39-30-10, 88 points, 35 ROW

With the win… the Isles remain within five points of the eighth-place Sens. It’s going to take a miracle though, with just three games remaining.

Coming up next… the Isles head to PNC Arena to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

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Justin Weiss
Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.

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