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Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:34 to play and the Ottawa Senators beat Boston 4-2 on Sunday night in the NHL's rescheduled regular-season finale.

The Islanders have been stockpiling top draft picks and feature one of the league's brightest young players in John Tavares, so why does the franchise continue to languish outside of the playoff picture? Craig Custance explores the issues for the Isles.

Blog | Conversation | February 28, 2013

Deciphering the cloudy playoff picture in the NHL.

Islanders-Capitals Preview

Islanders-Sabres Preview

Kings-Islanders Preview

Al Montoya made 36 saves, helping the New York Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

Blues-Islanders Preview

E.J. Hradek doles out his three stars for Tuesday night and notes that while a Caps-Pens final seems likely in the East, the picture out West -- with two underdogs leading 2-1 and two series tied 2-2 -- remains murky.

Blog | Conversation | April 21, 2010

E.J. Hradek examines the NHL playoff picture at the quarter-point in the season.

Story | Conversation | November 18, 2009

The trade deadline is over and now the push for the playoffs begins. We look at the postseason picture for all 30 teams, whether trending up, down or merely treading water.

Richard Park scored a short-handed goal in the second period and then added the decisive tally in the shootout for the New York Islanders, who finished a disappointing season with a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Friday night.

Pavel Kubina's third-period power-play goal helped the Leafs keep alive their hopes for a playoff spot as they beat the Islanders 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Chris Drury scored twice, sparking Buffalo's five-goal first period in a 6-4 win over the Islanders -- inching the Sabres to within a victory of clinching the top seed in the East.

Canadiens-Bruins Preview

So will the trades pay off? Scott Burnside tells you how the deadline deals will affect the playoff picture.