ELMONT, N.Y. — The Islanders looked very much like a team missing some key forwards, allowing Kings goalie Jonathan Quick to vaguely resemble his prime despite his struggles this season.
It turned into a costly 3-2 loss on Friday night at UBS Arena as the Islanders had their modest two-game winning streak snapped and their precarious playoff position made even more precarious.
The Islanders (30-25-7), who open a two-game road trip in Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon, still hold the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. But the Sabres, who moved into the second wild-card spot just three points back, have played five fewer games. The Red Wings are also three points behind the Islanders with five games in hand.
