BUFFALO, N.Y. _ They can't all be pristine performances with airtight goaltending. But because the Islanders have had way more good games than bad, they have some leeway in their playoff push.
Not much, though, with teams starting to play more divisional games entering the final quarter of the season. So, while the first-place Islanders were struggling through a 3-1 loss to the Sabres on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center despite only allowing 10 shots through the first two periods, the Capitals and Blue Jackets, their closest pursuers in the Metropolitan Division, were playing each other in Columbus.
The Islanders (33-17-6) had their three-game winning streak snapped but are still 19-5-2 since Dec. 15. They will need a fuller, 60-minute (or longer) effort Thursday night against the Blue Jackets as they conclude this two-game trip.
-copy-dd1f2bf0.jpeg?w=600)
