The Latest Breaking News from Islanders

PITTSBURGH — There is only one way to describe the Penguins' 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena:

PITTSBURGH — All season, the Penguins have shooed away prosperity like a pesky house fly.

The clock was ticking toward its final minute and the Florida Panthers were at risk of wasting a dominant third period Saturday. They had already rallied once and blown one lead, and they were tied with the Washington Capitals for 19 minutes of the third period until Matthew Tkachuk, on…

ELMONT, N.Y. — The Islanders had to win to keep up in the playoff chase.

NEW YORK — The Rangers and Lightning are likely to finish third in the NHL’s Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions, respectively, in which case they could not meet in the playoffs until the conference finals.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Islanders may yet meet the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. If so, they should have a good idea of what they must do better, specifically generating more chances while limiting their turnovers.

TAMPA, Fla. — It’s always expected around here, but now it’s official. With a 5-0 victory over the Islanders Saturday night at Amalie Arena, the Lightning clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs for a sixth straight season.

WASHINGTON — The odds indicate the Islanders will qualify for the playoffs. But Wednesday night reinforced what this whole season has showed: It ain’t gonna be easy.

The Islanders, in a hard push to secure their hold on the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot, played a playoff-style game with their physicality, forechecking and clogging of the neutral zone. It was a lesson for the speedy and playoff-bound Devils.