Tim Kavanagh, ESPN.comMar 10, 2024, 08:30 AM ET
CloseTim Kavanagh is a senior editor for ESPN digital editorial. He’s a native of upstate New York.
On Jan. 20, the New York Islanders were two points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. That was the day the club announced that it had fired head coach Lane Lambert, and hired Patrick Roy as his replacement.
Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Isles are two points out of a wild-card spot, despite markedly better play under the guidance of the Hall of Fame goaltender. In fact, they’ve gone 6-2-2 in their past 10 games, and carry a five-game winning streak into Orange County.
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How likely is it that they qualify for the playoffs this season?
The Isles have a 61.8% chance of making it, per Stathletes, which is considerably better than that of the Detroit Red Wings (36.3%), the team they are chasing. Part of that is due to their upcoming schedule: after Sunday’s matchup against the lottery-bound Ducks, they’ll have 19 games left. Of those 19, just 10 are against teams currently in playoff position. They’ll also have a chance to play the Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning (the other wild card) once more apiece, with those games holding the famous “four-point swing” potential.
And there will be some extra juice in three of those upcoming games against playoff teams, as those are the remaining dates against the rival New York Rangers (March 17, April 9 and April 13).
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check in on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Detroit Red Wings
A2 Boston Bruins vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39695683/nhl-playoffs-draft-standings-2024-islanders-path-postseason
Author : Tim Kavanagh
Publish date : 2024-03-10 14:34:21
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