If the Isles get a point Tuesday...

they will have a multiple point lead in their division this late
in the season for the first time since 1990!

After Feb 10, 1990
Patrick Division W-L-T Pts
NY Islanders 28-24-6 62
New Jersey 25-25-6 56
NY Rangers 23-23-10 56
Pittsburgh 25-27-4 54
Washington 24-30-4 52
Philadelphia 22-26-8 52

After Feb 18, 1990
Patrick Division W-L-T Pts
NY Islanders 28-27-6 62
NY Rangers 25-25-10 60
Pittsburgh 27-28-5 59
New Jersey 25-27-7 57
Washington 26-30-4 56
Philadelphia 24-29-8 56

On February 19, 1990 the Rangers beat the Devils 4-3 in overtime
to tie the Isles for first place. The Rangers tied Detroit 4-4
on 2/21/1990 to push the Isles into second place.

The Isles are in sole possession of first place in their
division for the first time (this late in the season) since
Islanders held sole possession of first place this late in the
season -- the night of December 14, 2001

Atlantic Division W-L-T-OL Pts
NY Islanders 16-8-5-2 39
NY Rangers 17-13-2-2 38
Philadelphia 14-9-5-1 34
Pittsburgh 13-13-4-2 32
New Jersey 13-12-3-2 31

[the Rangers won the next night and the Isles lost -- the Isles
would get even again on December 21, 2001 --the last time that
they had at least a share of first place this late in the
season.]