Andrew Gross

The Islanders have to hope it's still now-or-never time for them. The alternative is game over for their playoff hopes.

The Islanders got the first one. It will be a hollow victory, just the latest in a season's worth of stop and starts, if they don't follow it up on Sunday.

PITTSBURGH — Marcus Hogberg, who hadn't started an NHL game in nearly four years, was fine. If only the Islanders had started playing well much earlier in the match.

TORONTO – Whether the Islanders close out 2024 with a victory against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday afternoon is almost immaterial at this point since they struggle mightily to replicate solid outings.

The time must be now for decision-making owner Scott Malkin to demand more.

TORONTO — Sure, there were nitpicks. No game is mistake-free. But there was nothing inherently amiss with the Islanders' performance other than the result.

The New Year always brings hope that things can be better. And while it wasn't much, the Islanders at least flipped the calendar with a

Patrick Roy was a pending unrestricted free agent when the Hall of Fame goalie forced a trade from the Canadiens on Dec. 6, 1995 and ultimately led his new team, the Avalanche, to the Stanley Cup in 1996.

The atmosphere at UBS Arena was electric, with partisan chants for both teams and loud boos for former Islander John Tavares.

Patrick Roy admitted he had no support for claiming this, but he believes the Islanders are playing good hockey.