New York Islanders are in the playoff driver’s seat

In a season where they fired their head coach and replaced him with one of the most divisive bench bosses in modern NHL history, the New York Islanders have stepped up their game and put themselves in a playoff position.

With a record of 34-27-15 and 83 points, Patrick Roy and his Islanders squad hold onto the No. 2 Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. With six games to go, they’re just one point ahead of the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings, and only two points ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Will they be able to hold on?

On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the race for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, who has the best odds of holding on, and if we might see some late-season miracles.

Tyler Yaremchuk: Who is in the driver seat in this Eastern Conference playoff race?

Frank Seravalli: Mathematically, it’s the New York Islanders. To me, their playoff chances have climbed over the last few weeks and they’ve put themselves in a position where they’re holding onto the No. 2 Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The fact they’re in a playoff spot for the first time in what feels like forever is fascinating.

While the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins are chasing them, it’s amazing how some of these teams have played themselves into playoff contention.

Tyler Yaremchuk: One thing working against the Islanders is regulation wins: they only have 25, but the Capitals have 28, the Red Wings have 26, and the Penguins have 30. That’s something working in the Penguins’ advantage, and all they need to do is tie these teams, and that’s massive.

Frank Seravalli: The Islanders have played 24 games that have extended beyond regulation. That’s a banana sandwich.

Tyler Yaremchuk: They have 15 loser points! That’s wild!

Frank Seravalli: It’s crazy. Nine overtime wins and 15 loser points. How?!