It has been another rough season for the San Jose Sharks and their fans. Their loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday night was their 48th of the season, the most in the league. But they cannot say their fans were not trying to help.
Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New York Islanders is congratulated by his ... [+] teammates after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the seco
The Islanders are up on the season series 1-0-0 after a 4-1 win over the Sharks on Jan. 18, which kicked off a season-long, seven-game winning streak for the Isles. New York 5-0-4 in its last nine games against the Sharks, including 2-0-2 on the road.
The Islanders are seven points from a playoff spot. They are four points from the bottom of the Eastern Conference. With 25 games to go and an increasing number of points and teams to overcome, that is all the discussion one needs to have.
There haven’t been many Battles of New York in recent memory with playoff implications like the last two games between the Rangers and Islanders.
The Rangers and Islanders are both chasing the wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. They meet Monday with a chance to gain ground.
New York Islanders (29-26-7, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Anaheim Ducks (27-28-7, in the Pacific Division)
A second-round pick (No. 39) by the Washington Capitals at the 2014 NHL Draft, Vanecek is 94-52-20 with a 2.82 GAA, a .903 save percentage and nine shutouts in 181 regular-season games (169 starts) with the Capitals, Devils and Sharks, and 2-4 with a 4.52 GAA and an .834 save percentage in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games (seven starts).