Islanders must survive two final challenges before 4 Nations reprieve

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Patrick Roy has made clear on numerous occasions this season that he doesn’t like framing individual games as a litmus test for the Islanders. Well, too bad, because that’s exactly what the last two games before the two-week 4 Nations break are, with the Islanders visiting the NHL-leading Jets the day before facing another playoff team in the Wild. This is one of the toughest back-to-backs on the schedule, at a moment when the Islanders just can’t afford to let up.For all the good they’ve done over the past month to drag themselves back into the playoff race, they still were three points off the playoff cutline Thursday morning — a position where any loss could do them real damage. Forget the injuries and forget how tough these games look on paper.

The Islanders need to run through the tape and on into the break. “I know the break’s around the corner.I don’t think it’s seeped in at all in any way,” captain Anders Lee told reporters after the Islanders practiced Thursday.

“We’re playing the best team in the league [Friday] night in their building.So we gotta be ready to go and have us all firing.

We’ll need everyone.” The two-week pause for the 4 Nations Face-Off — with Brock Nelson being the only Islander set to participate in the tournament — is looming as a reprieve for the Islanders to take a deep breath and, perhaps, get a little healthier. Per Lou Lamoriello last weekend, the plan is for Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock, who both have suspected right leg injuries, to start skating on their own during the break.Marcus Hogberg (upper body) also could return when the Islanders get back to playing. That’s far from a complete return to health for a team that’s been struggling all season, but it’s at least something.

And after a hectic last few weeks, the Islanders could use a breather. They just need to make it through this weekend first.  Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a wee...