Thanksgiving represents the first true benchmark of the season in the NHL, and if the Islanders are looking inward, they may not like what they see.

They finally halted a seven-game losing streak in Saturday night in Calgary, and after beating the Flyers 3-2 at home on Wednesday, the Islanders are two points out of the last wild-card spot in the East.

Traditionally, being out of a playoff spot at Thanksgiving means your chances of making it are, roughly, 25 percent.

For the moment, it looks as if Lou Lamoriello is avoiding the nuclear option of firing coach Lane Lambert.