After Saturday, in order for the Islanders to make the playoffs, 6 things had to happen.  The following is the checklist.

1. Beat the Rangers on Tuesday
2. Montreal lose to the Rangers on Thursday
3. Beat the Maple Leafs on Thursday
4. Beat the Flyers on Saturday
5. Toronto beat Montreal on Saturday
6. Beat the Devils on Sunday

Well - the list is almost done.  It is kind of like getting to the last line of the supermarket, looking for the package of Pillsbury rolls, to complete the shopping list.  Well - we just truned the corner on the last aisle, and I spot the rolls.  We may have to tickle the dough boy.

The Isles got to that 6th item, courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Philly.  The Isles got three goals in the first two periods courtesy of goals from Satan, Yashin and Park.  The Flyers added one late in the second, and also got one late in the third as they removed the goalie for an extra attacker.  Tom Poti scored his sixth in the last 22 seconds preserving the victory for Long Island.

Then the guys were in a restauraunt in a Jersey hotel, being big Maple Leaf fans.  Kyle Wellwood got a early third period power play goal and the goaltending of John Sebastian Aubin saved the day, as the Leafs eliminated the Canadiens 6-5.  Toronto now has 91 points and the 8th spot.  The Isles and Habs have 90.  With a win today - the Isles will get 92 and go to the 8th position.  They MUST win.  Getting a point, will make the Isles tied with T.O. and lose by 1 win in the tiebreaker situation.

Therefore the eyes of ALL in the Tri-State Area and all of Canada will be focused on the game at 3:30.  By the time that you are enjoying your Easter dessert, the Isles will know if they are clearing their lockers tomorrow - or concentrating on the Buffalo Sabres for game 1 of the Playoffs.

We have been saying so much about what the Isles need to do in games, who to focus on, or what situation needs to have some concern.  Today, all I need to do is to commence praying sequences.  Ted said that it was a 1,000,000 to 1 shot of getting into the playoffs.  I think that we should have gave him $20 and get a nice payoff from it.

Keep the faith Islander fans, and we can use our playoff money the right way….