This next week will be crucial for bubble teams as the NHL regular season comes to an end. This year’s has been one of the toughest battles for post-season position. With seven teams battling for the sixth, seventh and eighth seeds in the East, this year, playoff-style hockey began early.

The Devils, who had some late season injuries to key players (Brian Gionta, Patrick Elias and John Madden), still find themselves safely seeded for the post-season.

The Rangers, living on the edge for the last few weeks, are getting much needed firepower and are in a position to clinch on Tuesday.

The last of the local teams, and right now the one with the most to worry about, is the Islanders. They have the biggest mountain to climb. The loss of goaltender Rick DiPietro, who has played his best hockey this season, is out indefinitely with a concussion. DiPietro was the reason the Isles had a fighting chance but without him, the team’s hopes are fading fast.

Backup Mike Dunham has done little to help the Isles deal with DiPietro’s loss. Dunham’s goaltending has been, at best, average. Wade Dubielewicz has made keys saves to help, but the Islanders don’t play as well, and as confidently in front of Dunham or Dubielewicz as they do when “DP” is in goal. Friday night’s game against the Sabres, arguably one of their worst this season is case in point.

If goaltending was the only problem for the Isles, then things wouldn’t look as bad. But there are more injuries on the roster than just DiPietro. Defenseman Freddy Meyer, who has played steadily since he came in from Philadelphia, is out for the season with a broken finger. Richard Zednik, who is trying to regain his scoring touch, has left the team due to personal reasons and is out indefinitely. Andy Hilbert missed Friday’s game against Buffalo with a shoulder injury. And trade deadline headliner and Islander savior Ryan Smyth missed Friday’s game with a leg injury.

To help on the blueline, veteran NHLers Todd Simpson and Deron Quint were signed early this past weekend, but their services will be limited to regular season play. Both will be ineligible to play should the team go on to the post season. Whoever said that less is more did not have the Islanders in mind.

Aside from injuries, the Isles should have the ingredients to take control of their own destiny. Veterans like Smyth, Brendan Witt, Sean Hill, Jason Blake and Mike Sillinger know what it takes to get on the right track, but can they get the rest of the team to follow their lead?

Historically, the last few games of the season determine what a team will do in the post season. Teams that get to the big dance ride their own momentum. If the Islanders do survive past next weekend what will they do to keep going? More questions than answers are not what the Islanders need, but the coaching staff and the remaining guys in the room do have a fighting chance.

From day one of training camp, the players spoke about their understanding of the Islanders’ tradition, toughness and history. The current roster dropped names like Bobby Nystrom, John Tonelli—and any other member of the dynasty teams—as examples they wanted to emulate.

But these Isles not emulating those players of old. Maybe all they need are a few highlight reels from the early ’80s to remind the current club what they’re fighting for. But then, maybe it’s too late.

Every game is a must win. The season could be over on Tuesday night when the Isles play the hated Rangers. The Maple Leafs, Flyers, and Devils all follow. It won’t be easy. The proverbial fat lady is behind the curtain, and she’s ready to wail.