The past seven days (March 13–20, 2026) have been a rollercoaster for the New York Islanders, characterized by milestone moments and a cooling streak that has significantly tightened their playoff race. After starting the week in a relatively comfortable third-place spot in the Metropolitan Division, a series of narrow losses has pushed them to the precarious edge of the wild-card bubble.
The Playoff Seesaw
The Islanders entered the week as the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division but dropped out of that spot following a heartbreaking 3–2 regulation loss to Ottawa on March 19. They are now tied in points (83) with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hold the tiebreaker.
Game Results: March 13 – March 20, 2026
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Notable Performers |
| Mar. 13 | vs. Los Angeles Kings | Loss | 3-2 | Emil Heineman (2G) |
| Mar. 14 | vs. Calgary Flames | Win | 3–2 | Simon Holmstrom (2G) |
| Mar. 17 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs | Win | 3–1 | Mathew Barzal (3A) |
| Mar. 19 | @ Ottawa Senators | Loss | 3-2 | Ilya Sorokin (23 saves) |
Standings & Stanley Cup Chances
The week was a net negative for the Islanders’ postseason security. Despite going 2-2-0, they failed to keep pace with a surging Blue Jackets squad (on an 11-game point streak) and a crowded Atlantic Division.
Standings: They have fallen from 3rd in the Metro to just outside the playoffs (one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins, who are tied with 84 points and hold the first and second wild card spots)
Related – Islanders Prospects Report: Eiserman, Aitcheson, Nelson, Finley & More
The Field: They are currently looking over their shoulders at Ottawa (79 pts) and Philadelphia (78 pts). With roughly 13 games remaining, their “magic number” to clinch has remained stagnant.
Cup Chances: Analytical models suggest their Stanley Cup odds have dipped slightly this week due to their inability to secure “charity points” (overtime losses) in their two defeats, both of which were decided in the final minutes of regulation.
Injury Report & IR List
The Islanders’ depth is being tested as they head into the final stretch with several key contributors out for the remainder of the season.
| Player | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Semyon Varlamov | Knee | Injured Reserve | Out for Season |
| Alexander Romanov | Shoulder | Injured Reserve | Out for Season |
| Kyle Palmieri | Knee | Injured Reserve | Out for Season |
| Pierre Engvall | Ankle | Injured Reserve | Out for Season |
| Max Shabanov | Lower Body | Day-to-Day | Late March |
In Case You Missed It…
AHL Relocation
On March 13, the organization announced it will relocate its American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate to Hamilton, Ontario, a major shift for the team’s developmental structure.
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