Time running out for Islanders to get hot again in playoff push

It’s now or never for the Islanders, who head home for Wednesday’s match against Tampa Bay bruised and battered, a five-game losing streak in hand. All year, they’ve been a streaky team and with nine games left in the season and a three-point deficit in the wild-card chase, now is the time to find some magic.Four of their next five are on home ice, and though the list of opponents is far from easy — the Lightning, Wild, Capitals and Rangers are all set to visit UBS, with a trip to Nashville bridging the last two games on that list — the Islanders were formidable in their own building during March, snagging at least a point in all but one game on Long Island. They’ll need more than one in most of these, though.

And they’ll need to reverse what’s been a costly spiral of late, with their defense and goaltending having struggled through the last week. “This time of year, it’s not about learning from our mistakes,” Kyle Palmieri said after Sunday’s 6-4 loss to Carolina.“It’s about going out and executing and finding ways to win hockey games.” Despite their recent struggles, the Islanders have stuck around the playoff cutline mostly because the Rangers, Blue Jackets, Canadiens and Red Wings have struggled just as much. Needless to say, none look like inspiring picks to pull a first-round upset against the Caps, who will almost certainly face whichever team finishes atop the mud pile. The Islanders, though, would very much like to give themselves the chance to do just that. Per Tankathon, their remaining schedule is the eighth toughest in the league, but the good news is that Detroit, Columbus and the Rangers all have harder slates.

The Canadiens, however, have the fifth easiest — and just scored a huge two points against the Panthers on Sunday.  Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.Please provide a valid email address.

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