NEW YORK _ The Islanders will resume their season in good position to earn a second straight playoff berth but with a challenging second half to navigate in order to qualify.
Christmas brought Day 2 of the NHL's three-day holiday break and the Islanders will open a three-game road trip on Friday night against the Blackhawks, possibly facing their former goalie and still fan favorite Robin Lehner.
The second-place Islanders (23-9-3) lost to the Blue Jackets, 3-2, on Monday night at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum. They will also face the Wild, who have a league-best 28 points since Nov. 14, and the first-place Capitals, who lead the Metropolitan Division by eight points, on the trip.