While Reality Sets In, Hope Remains

The Islanders can find themselves three points back of a wild-card spot with a win over Edmonton tonight.

The New York Islanders’ chance of qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs is slim. But it’s not none.

I know, I know. The Islanders have to jump five teams to sneak into the second wild-card spot, trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets by five points with 18 games to play as of Friday afternoon.

Not only that, but since losing Brock Nelson at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the team has struggled to score, losing their last two games, scoring a combined two goals.

And things certainly don’t get easier, as the Islanders host the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night before hosting the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers come to town on Sunday.

That’s the glass-half-empty approach.

Here’s the glass-half-full approach.