Let’s take a zoomed-out look at things before getting consumed by the minutiae of the season.

The Islanders have acted like a team that believes their championship window is open because they believe their championship window is open.

Whatever the evidence to the contrary — and the past two seasons have provided some significant evidence to the contrary — this group of players and the management that has continually stood behind them is steadfast in that belief.

The decisions undertaken as a result of that belief amount to a significant gamble.