A few days ago, the New York Islanders looked like they might have an inside track to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Two straight losses by the Islanders, two consecutive wins by the Boston Bruins and three straight victories by the Tampa Bay Lightning have changed all that.
Now, the Islanders (35-28-12, 82 points) will need some help if they hope to overtake the Bruins and secure a playoff berth for the third straight season and fourth in five years.
On Thursday night in Philadelphia, the Islanders will try to do something they have not been able to do in their last five games in Brooklyn: win a hockey game.