Matt Martin (17) and Cal Clutterbuck (15) of the Islanders defend against Charlie McAvoy (73) of the Bruins during the first period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on Feb. 29, 2020. Credit: Jr.
The opponent doesn’t dictate must-win games. The time of the season does that.
And, for the Islanders, gaining two points at every opportunity is crucial with five weeks to go in the regular season.
The Islanders play the first of their three ever remaining games at Barclays Center against the Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Canadiens are on the barest fringe of the Eastern Conference playoff race and dealt sniper Ilya Kovalchuk to the Capitals a day before the Feb.