New York Islanders Daily Insight, 4/5/17: Staying Alive (Barely)
Apr 4, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey (14) celebrates with goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) after winning in overtime against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Islanders won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders’ playoff chances may be slim, but it’s imperative to keep the faith.

Okay.

So I’ll concede that despite the Isles’ come-from-behind victory on Tuesday night, the odds are still stacked against them to make the postseason. But I’m still not giving up hope, even if it’ll take a miracle for them to do so.

Let’s face it: for the Islanders to advance to the playoffs, pretty much everything needs to go right. Even if they win all of their remaining games, they’ll need help from Boston and either Ottawa or Toronto.

But we’ve seen crazier things happen before. As Yogi Berra famously said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” There’s still plenty of hockey left to play, and well, maybe the Isles could potentially get some puck luck on their side.

It’s doubtful, and maybe even impossible, but I’m not giving up hope. As a fan, as a supporter, it’s the least I can do.

NOTES

Behind Jaroslav Hálak, the Isles defeated the Predators in overtime, 2-1, to keep their playoff hopes alive. Thomas Hickey, yes, that Thomas Hickey, started at left wing and netted the game winner. [Recap: ESNY | LHH | NEWSDAY ]

If the Isles didn’t call up Ryan Pulock because Bridgeport is in the thick of a playoff race, why wouldn’t they send Hálak down considering that he was the team’s starting netminder? It’s certainly perplexing.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo! Sports isn’t on the Islanders bandwagon. He points out that the Isles’ tragic number is two, which means that they’re like literally on the brink of elimination.

In a candid interview with Newsday’s Arthur Staple, head coach Doug Weight addressed a number of topics, including the Olympics — “I understand both sides of it” — his future — “I haven’t thought too much about it” — and his goalies — “I think they’re both going to be needed.”

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.