Field Level Media
01 Mar 2026, 20:10 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers do not have to be reminded that five of the eight teams currently occupying a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference did not make the postseason last year.
And the Panthers will get another glimpse at a team attempting to take their spot in the tournament Sunday night, when Florida opens a four-game road trip by visiting the surging New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y.
The Panthers are coming off a 3-2 loss to the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Friday night. The Islanders are completing a back-to-back set after overcoming a two-goal deficit Saturday night and edging the host Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-3, in overtime.
The loss Friday was the sixth in eight games for the Panthers (2-6-0), who are eight points behind the Boston Bruins in the race for the second wild-card spot with 23 games to play.
The Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Sabres -- the latter of whom are in second place in the Atlantic Division -- all missed the playoffs last year.
A reigning Stanley Cup champion hasn't missed the playoffs since 2015, when the Los Angeles Kings came up two points shy of a tournament berth.
A spate of injuries has endangered the Panthers' pursuit of the NHL's first three-peat since the Islanders won the Stanley Cup four consecutive times from 1980-83. Captain Aleksander Barkov has yet to play due to a right knee injury suffered in training camp while Matthew Tkachuk has played just 12 games following offseason surgery for a sports hernia and torn adductor muscle. Tkachuk and Barkov were Florida's second- and third-leading scorers last season, respectively.
The Panthers' fortunes haven't improved since returning from the Olympic break. Right winger Cole Schwindt will be out indefinitely with a lower body injury suffered in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs while Uvis Balinskis was slated to be evaluated Saturday after exiting Friday's game due to injury.
'Not cheating on effort,' Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. 'We're doing the best we can.'
Simon Holmstrom's goal 1:47 into overtime Saturday continued a pair of trends for the Islanders, whose effort to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence has featured plenty of comeback wins and extra session dramatics.
New York is tied for second place in the Metropolitan Division with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have two games in hand. The Penguins also missed the playoffs last season.
The win Saturday was the fourth straight for the Islanders, who have trailed in three of those victories -- including Thursday night's 4-3 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens in which New York also came back from a 2-0 second-period deficit.
Holmstrom's goal improved the Islanders to 8-0 in games decided in overtime. New York trailed in regulation in all eight overtime wins.
The only team in NHL history to record more overtime wins without a loss in a single season are the 2021 Vegas Golden Knights, who went 9-0 in overtime during the pandemic-shortened 56-game campaign.
'At the end of the day ... I feel like we're calm and we just focus on what needs to be done,' Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. 'It doesn't matter if we're behind. We find ways to get back into the game.'
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Detroit Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Detroit Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON DC - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. Iran State Media confirmed...
DUBAI, UAE - Loud explosions have been heard in Dubai, while a Pakistani national has been killed by falling debris from a missile...
The United States and Israel launched a wave of air strikes against targets in Iran on Saturday, triggering explosions and columns...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: During his State of the Union address, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on inflation, immigration, tariffs, and...
MADRID, Spain: Spain's plan to grant legal status to at least half a million undocumented migrants is already straining immigration...
PARIS, France: Laurence des Cars, the director of the iconic Louvre Museum, resigned on February 24 after being in the public glare...
(Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images) The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers do not have to be reminded...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) Jason Robertson's goal 1:47 into overtime capped a comeback and gave the host Dallas Stars...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Lane Thomas recorded two hits, including a triple, and five RBIs, as the Kansas City...
(Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images) Taylor Hall and Shayne Gostisbehere each finished with a goal and two assists as the...
(Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images) Michigan sophomore guard L.J. Cason tore the ACL in his right knee during Friday's victory...
(Photo credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Olivia Olson scored 28 points with eight rebounds...
