Even closer to the brink

With tonight's results, the Islanders are still alive mathematically, but barely with a pulse.

Six teams were already guaranteed to finish ahead of the Isles.  Either Philly or the Rangers will finish ahead of the Isles as well as they play each other twice next weekend.

Boston's win over Toronto (on an overtime tip by ex-Isle Miro Satan, off a shot by ex-Isle Zdeno Chara) pushes the Isles to the very edge.  Boston has 84 points and 36 wins.  The most that the Isles can reach is 84 points, but with 37 wins.  Thus, the Isles are still alive.

At a minimum, the Isles would need to win all 4 of their remaining games, while Boston loses all 4, all in regulation.  They also need Atlanta to get no more than 3 points in their final three games, and either Philadelphia or the Rangers to get no more than one point in their final four games.

Today's results eliminated Carolina, Florida and Tampa Bay.  Yet the Isles can still finish behind any or all of them, as well as behind the last place Leafs.

On the draft position watch, St. Louis' win over Dallas means that the Blues (85 points) will finish with more points than the Isles.  Anaheim and Dallas can each guarantee the same with one point each. 

 Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: forever1940.blogspot.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick