The New York enter their March 29, 2025, matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a record of 32-29-10, positioning them in a tight race for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Currently, they stand one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hold 75 points, and are level with the Montreal Canadiens, both vying for postseason contention. Offensively, the Islanders have faced challenges throughout the season. Captain Anders Lee leads the team with 26 goals and 49 points, providing a consistent scoring presence. Defenseman Noah Dobson has contributed significantly from the blue line, leading the team with 26 assists. However, the team has struggled to generate offense consistently, averaging 2.5 goals per game, which ranks among the lower third in the league. A significant area of concern has been the Islanders’ special teams. As of late December 2024, their power play operated at a historically low 12.09% success rate, while their penalty kill stood at 64.29%, both figures placing them at the bottom of the NHL rankings. Despite efforts to address these issues, including lineup changes and focused practice sessions, the power play continues to underperform, having scored in only one of their last nine games. Defensively, goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been a workhorse, appearing in 52 games with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.72 and a save percentage of .908.

However, recent outings have seen inconsistencies, including being pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on March 26. Backup Marcus Hogberg has provided relief in select games, boasting a GAA of 1.70 and a save percentage of .938 over eight appearances. The Islanders’ recent form has been inconsistent, with a three-game losing streak preceding the upcoming game against Tampa Bay. This stretch includes a 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on March 22, a 4-3 shootout defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 24, and the aforementioned 5-2 loss to the Canucks. These results have hindered their playoff push, making the upcoming games crucial for their postseason aspirations. Individual performances have also seen fluctuations. Defenseman Noah Dobson has experienced defensive struggles, reflected in a minus-7 rating over a four-game span. Dobson acknowledges the need for improved gap control and defensive positioning to mitigate these issues. Additionally, forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been adjusting to playing with a full bubble helmet due to a broken nose, which may impact his on-ice performance. As the Islanders prepare to face the Lightning, they must address their special teams deficiencies, bolster defensive consistency, and find ways to generate more offense. With the playoff race intensifying, securing points in this matchup is imperative to keep their postseason hopes alive.