How Vegas' Comeback Win Against Colorado Helps Islanders' Playoff Chances

If you scrolled the NHL scoreboard app on Sunday night, no results statistically impacted the New York Islanders’ ability to qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But one game certainly could help their playoff chances: the game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.

Down 3-0 after two periods, Vegas stormed back in the third period with three unanswered goals before Tomas Hertl buried the overtime tally in what was an incredible hockey game.

How does this result help the Islanders?

With the win, the second-wild-card Golden Knights moved within three points of the Nashville Predators, who hold down the top wild-card spot in the West.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Whoever finishes as the top wild-card team in the West will play the Vancouver Canucks in the first round and, if victorious, the winner of the Los Angeles Kings-Edmonton Oilers series in the second round.

One would think that path is a tad bit “easier” than facing Dallas in the first round before facing the winner of the Colorado Avalanche-WInnipeg Jets series.

The Predators, who battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, wouldn’t have had anything to play for if Vegas were to have lost.

But now, there’s pressure on Nashville to avoid Dallas, which is not good for the Penguins at all, who sit four points back of the Islanders and two points back, really, of the Washington Capitals since they don’t hold the regulation win tie-breaker.

NHL.com

If New York can’t clinch the third seed with a win over the New Jersey Devils on Monday or a playoff spot, depending on other results, and the Penguins do beat Nashville, Wednesday’s season finale between Patrick Roy and Mike Sullivan could have significant playoff implications for both sides.

So, a Nashville win over Pittsburgh would benefit New York if things don’t go well in Jersey.

If Nashville beats the Penguins in any fashion, they cannot mathematically catch the Islanders since that would put them four points back/three points back with one game to go.

The Capitals and Detroit Red Wings are the much bigger threats to New York if they can’t beat the Devils.

New York is three points up on both before Monday’s action.

The Capitals play the Boston Bruins, while the Red Wings host the Montreal Canadiens.

Per statistician Eric Hornick’s “The Skinny” if the Islanders get the point against the Devils and the Capitals lose, the Islanders will clinch third place.

If the Islanders get a point, the Capitals win, and Detroit loses, the Islanders will clinch the second wild-card spot.

If the Islanders lose in regulation, they need two of these things to happen to clinch:

• Washington loses in regulation

• Detroit loses in regulation

• Pittsburgh loses in any fashion

Lastly, if the Capitals lose in regulation and Pittsburgh loses in any fashion, the Islanders would finish in third place.

Again, the Islanders can avoid breaking out the calculators if they just beat the Devils tonight at 7 PM.

TOP STORIES