National voices seem to agree the Islanders are outside the top 10 teams in the NHL. The question here is: Do they have a point? Or, more eloquently put: Is there good reason for a dose of healthy skepticism about the Islanders place in the standings?
The Islanders nearly finished off their homestand in perfect fashion. But the Bruins stopped their winning streak at four, coming back four different times to beat the Islanders 5-4 in a shootout following David Pastrnaks game-winner in the fourth round.
The Islanders have played their best hockey of the season over the past couple weeks and might have gotten their best win of the season Saturday night.
Here was a game that looked straightforward, except to this years Islanders there is no such thing.