New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson skates with the puck ahead of Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri in the first period at UBS Arena on Monday, March 7, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
No white flags have been waved even if the obvious has become more obvious for the Islanders.
They will enter Thursday’s rescheduled St. Patrick’s Day matchup against the playoff-bound Rangers at Madison Square Garden 19 points behind the Capitals for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot. Barring a statistical miracle, the Islanders will miss the playoffs for the first time in four seasons under president and general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz.