Islanders Game 70: Massive Implications Against CBJ; Pageau Discusses His Play

The New York Islanders (32-28-9) host tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-29-9) inside UBS Arena just after 7:30. While every game is obviously important, it goes without saying just how important this one is.

The Islanders are in 10th in the East, two points back of the final playoff spot. That spot currently belongs to the Montreal Canadiens, who are idle tonight. Both teams have played 69 games. As for Columbus, they’re 11th, one place behind the Islanders, and trail New York by all of two points.

What Are the Playoff Odds Currently?

According to moneypuck.com, the Islanders woke up with a 27.9% chance of making the playoffs. That’s the second-best odds of all teams in the wild card race. The Rangers have a 25.1% chance, while the Canadiens have a 49.1% chance.

Columbus sits at a lowly 6.1%. As for how much tonight’s game can swing the odds? Moneypuck has that, too. A regulation sees the Islanders’ odds boosted up to 34.4%. A regulation loss drops it down to 16.8%.

For Columbus, a regulation loss virtually ends their hopes. Their chances enter tonight low, at just 6.3%, but a loss drops them to 3.1%. They can’t afford to lose. The good news is, they gain back Sean Monahan and Erik Gudbranson after prolonged absences.

Notes from Morning Skate:

Jean-Gabriel Pageau smiled this morning when asked what makes the Islanders so comfortable in these situations. Then, he said it in the simplest of terms possible: “We’ve been in the same position for the past couple of years. I think we’ve approached every game this year one by one, period by period, trying to be the best that we can on that day.”

I also chatted with Pageau about the lack of offense from him, Anthony Duclair, and Anders Lee. The trio has played very well at 5v5, routinely out-chancing the opposition and playing strong defensively. Pageau pointed to those figures and said if they weren’t generating chances, then he’d be far more concerned. For now, it’s status quo and he believes the goals will come.

Elsewhere, Islanders’ Head Coach Patrick Roy announced that Hudson Fasching will be out tonight due to an illness. In his place, Adam Boqvist will play right wing. It’s his second time playing forward, and Roy called him eager to learn and do anything he can to play and help the team.

Islanders Lineup:

Simon Holmstrom – Bo Horvat – Kyle Palmieri

Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Anthony Duclair

Pierre Engvall – Casey Cizikas – Adam Boqvist

Maxim Tsyplakov – Kyle MacLean – Marc Gatcomb

Defense & Goalie

Alexander Romanov – Tony DeAngelo

Adam Pelech – Noah Dobson

Mike Reilly – Ryan Pulock

Ilya Sorokin

Blue Jackets Lineup:

Dmitri Voronkov – Sean Monahan – Kirill Marchenko

Boone Jenner – Adam Fantilli – Kent Johnson

Zach Aston-Reese – Justin Danforth – Mathieu Olivier

James van Riemsdyk – Sean Kuraly – Luke Kunin

Defense & Goalie

Zach Weresnki – Dante Fabbro

Ivan Provorov – Damon Severson

Denton Mateychuk – Erik Gudbranson

Elvis Merzlikins

How to Watch:

TV: MSGSN, ESPN+ Out of Market

Radio: 88.7 WRHU