Islanders News: Isles add historical footnote to footnote of a season
Were you there when? | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Six games remain, seven points out. The New York Islanders became the historical footnote, the Vancouver Canucks to Wayne Gretzky’s #802 (in a L.A. Kings uniform), as Alex Ovechkin finished his chase of Gretzky’s regular season goal record Sunday afternoon in a 4-1 loss to the Isles on Long Island.
The Isles’ win means their remote wild card chances stay alive a little while longer, but this season seems destined to be a footnote that most will happily forget. Montreal won again last night, extending their win streak to five and their lead over the Isles to seven points.
Islanders News
Putting yesterday into proper historical perspective: Big day for Marc Gatcomb. [LHH]
All joking aside, it was cool to see Gatcomb get some love. A setup from Matt Martin (even if it was meant for elsewhere) was icing on that curiosity cake:
Matt Martin in Gretzky’s office feeds Gatcomb for an #Isles 3-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/6Ci1JH1dUz— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) April 6, 2025
With the record broken and an Isles win, “all fans went home happy.” I wouldn’t be so sure...[Newsday]
A “huge” win for the Isles, if you are still hopeful. (I apologize for not being thus.) [Post]
Elsewhere
As noted, in Sunday’s other games the Canadiens and Red Wings both won, though the Blue Jackets lost. Seven points and three teams stand between the Isles and a playoff spot. They have one game in hand on the Canadiens.
The Senators also won to inch closer to clinching...and closer to catching struggling Florida, too. [Sportsnet]
Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie were emotional and thanked by Ovechkin during the mid-game ceremony. They thought it fitting that d-bag Tom Wilson assisted on the goal. [NHL]
Indeed, the NHL has an entire section devoted to Ovechkin coverage, if that’s your thing. [NHL]
Among those is Ted Leonsis’ pre-penned letter about the ride the two of them have been on together, and how incredible it’s all happened with one franchise. (Indeed...if only they didn’t put him in such terrible uniforms for the length of his career!) [NHL]
Ranking the top 20 goals in Ovechkin’s NHL career, including playoffs (Wait! That’s not allowed!) [ESPN]
The milestone is “bigger than the game of hockey.” [Sportsnet]
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