Top 6

Stat Trick will have to wait, but using Brendan Witt (first career attempt) and Mark Streit (no career shootout goals) helped guarantee the Isles that they will finish no higher than 25th -- the 6th seed in the lottery.

Any point won by the Kings or lost by the Isles will clinch the 5th seed, and guarantee the Isles a shot at Tavares. (You can only move up 4 spots in the draft.)

With seven games to play for each team, the Isles have 59 points, Colorado 64 and Tampa 65. If the Isles tie Colorado in points, they will have fewer wins (and a better draft seed); if they tie Tampa in points, they will have more wins (and a worse draft seed). Both of those teams play Sunday, as Tampa hosts Ottawa and Colorado visits Anaheim. Of course, if the Isles go 2-5-0, they can't be caught by either team.

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982.