Islanders Clinch Playoff Berth at Rangers Expense

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

ISLANDERS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH

Islanders defeat Rangers; 6-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 3; NYR 2*

VI - NYI 6; NYR 1

VII - NYI 4; NYR 0

VIII - NYI 3; NYR 0

*overtime

Look What The Islanders Did To The Rangers, Again!

In what was possibly the final regular-season game ever to be played between the Islanders and Rangers at the Uniondale barn, Long Island blanks the city folk for a second consecutive game and the fourth time in their season series.  After splitting the first four games, the Isles take the final four.

Don't look now, but the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the Capitals by two points.  The Islanders clinch a playoff spot with 67 points. 

Insofar as the Rangers are concerned, I have no interest in Saturday's score and outcome.  However, the game itself and the fact that Long Island shut out the Rangers a fourth time in eight games partly serve my overall point.

Allow me to pick up where I left off ...

We know about Mika Zibanejad's terrible start to the season.  In January, he failed to score in six of eight games and similarly failed to score in eight of eleven games in February.  Mika totaled just six points over his first 19 games of the season.  But we also know he was returning from a pre-season bout with COVID.  

Mika then scored in nine of 16 games in March for 21 points, and in April, he scored in 12 of 15 games for 19 points.  That gives him 40 points in his last 31 games entering May.  His overall season stats now look more representative: 51 games, 20 goals, 26 assists, 46 points.

And therein lies the rub ...

In 16 games against the Devils and Flyers, Mika Zibanejad has grossed ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points. 

Through 35 games so far against the Islanders, Bruins, Capitals, Sabres, and Penguins, Mika has ten goals and nine assists for 19 points.  

Closer to the point, Mika scored just three points in eight games this season versus the Islanders; no points on Thursday, no points on Saturday.  

Just for the sake of being an equine posterior about it ... before going down with a season-ending injury, Islanders center Anders Lee scored 12 goals with seven assists for 19 points in 27 games, eight fewer games than Zibanejad.