For the moment, the Islanders’ attention is completely focused on making the playoffs, something not only sensible, but admirable in a landscape that incentivizes teams in the middle of the league to tear down before they build up.

Instead of trying to break apart the core that got the Islanders to two NHL final fours in a row, Isles GM Lou Lamoriello is doing everything he can to maximize their chances of competing, dealing for Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall while signing the former to a long-term extension.

There is a future to consider, however, beyond the first round and the two guaranteed playoff home games that would allow the Islanders to show UBS Arena off on a national stage. That is where things get interesting.

To be fair, it is not a guarantee the Islanders would lose in the first round to either the Bruins or the Hurricanes, their two most likely opponents. But they would be massive underdogs in either series.