Isles Moving Forward Without Hammer

Your New York Islanders have gone 4-1 since the dismal loss against the Flyers.  And although they have had some very tight wins, they have managed to get by with hard work and trusting in each other.  They have been able to handle changes in momentum and recover in games that they let get away from them. In their latest win, the Islanders beat the Blue Jackets 4-3, ensuring New York’s sweep of Columbus on the season.  

Captain, John Tavares had his 3^rd multi-goal game and scored his 28^th and 29^th of the season, Anders Lee has been scoring in bunches, especially on the PP where he leads the team with 8.  Thomas Hickey and Calvin de Haan have been making valuable contributions defensively.  Thomas Greiss has been steady, especially in the team’s comeback efforts and his 21 wins on the season (21-11-4) are a prime example with an impressive 2.38gaa & .924Sv%.

Travis Hamonic left the game against Columbus after a knee-on-knee hit by Scott Hartnell and Jack Capuano confirmed he would miss the rest of the regular season as a result.  No doubt, this news is causing Isles fans to have a collective shutter. Last season, Hamonic was injured with two games to go and many believe that his absence was probably the main reason New York fell in 7 games to the Capitals. 

Hamonic has 21 points (5 & 16) in 72 games this season and is always a big reason for the Islanders successes on defense.  The Isles are 24-6-6 when Hammer leads in ice time.  He is skating with the team and I would assume the team expects to make the post season even without Hamonic and they want him fully rested for the playoffs.  

The Islanders magic number is now 5 against Detroit and 6 vs Boston to clinch a playoff spot and it isn’t unreasonable to think they could finish 3^rd in the eastern conference.  Even a 2^nd place finish is possible if they were to win their final 6 games of the season.  They have 4 of their last 6 games at home and are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games at the Barclays Center.  Do they have the stuff to finish the push to a playoff spot?

I say yes.  They should finish 3rd in the eastern conference.

Isles Notes:

Adam Pelech began practicing with the team on 3/28.

Islanders Sign Schempp To Entry-Level Contract.

Per Arthur Staple on Twitter, “I don't think Halak will play another game for the Isles.”

Per Randi Marshal, “My first take on today's hard hat tour of the Coliseum the #isles loomed large.”

Per Jim Baumbach, “NHL commish Gary Bettman on 6 NYI games in Nassau-"If anyone is suggesting it's a done deal, they're not aware of all the factors involved."