The Islanders are far from being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
But Sunday afternoon’s 3-2 shootout loss to the NHL-worst Canadiens, whose journeyman goalie was playing his first NHL game in almost four years, is likely the final proof positive they are not a contender.
Ilya Sorokin, again allowing a questionable goal but strong otherwise in his sixth straight start, stopped 24 shots for the Islanders (18-20-7), who have not won consecutive games since Jan. 17-21. They open a five-game road trip on Tuesday night against the expansion Seattle Kraken and are 17 points out of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
