There are nine games left for the Islanders before the 4 Nations break, and if you are Lou Lamoriello, you have to like what you’re seeing right now.
Going into a four-point match Friday at home against the Flyers, the Islanders have won five of their past seven games. At least on the surface, it does not look like a product of mere good luck, either. They are putting together complete efforts, having allowed more than 30 shots against just once in 2025, and the top six are finally humming after Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat were put back together. Crucially, both special teams look competent for the first time in a long time.
If you want to make an argument that the Islanders should stay the course — and nobody will be shocked to learn Lamoriello is partial to such arguments — the team is making it on the ice right now.
But here’s the rub: the Islanders are two points further back from a playoff spot now than they were Jan. 4 — before they won the first of three in a row that began this turnaround.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
