Brock Nelson may have snapped a 17-game goal drought with back-to-back games on the scoresheet, but it's unlikely that will change his fate on the New York Islanders. The Islanders' relentless need to stay in the playoff mix without rebuilding from scratch to build a true Stanley Cup contender is finally catching up with them this season,

The Islanders certainly aren't out of the playoff race as they are five points back of the second wild card spot occupied by the Columbus Blue Jackets yet you want to get ahead of the curve if you don't think the team will be successful.

This looked more like the product the Islanders have put out for most of the season and the Senators came away 2-0 victors.

Leevi Merilainen made 24 saves for his second shutout in three games and the Ottawa Senators beat the New York Islanders 2-0.