Islanders: First-round playoff games would be at Coliseum

The New York Islanders' improbable chase for a postseason berth could bring a bonus to their Long Island-based fans. The team said Friday that first-round postseason games would be played at Nassau Coliseum, their exclusive home of 43 years, and where they have 21 games on the regular-season schedule.

The rest of the home schedule is being played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, a bigger facility, but not so beloved by many of the team's fans for the distance they must travel, and for obstructed views blamed in part because the building was not intended for hockey. Beyond the first round of the postseason, home games would be played at Barclays Center, the team said in a statement making the announcement, a decision "reflecting that the Nassau Coliseum does not qualify as an NHL major league facility."

The Islanders' home game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday is the last regularly scheduled game at Barclays Center this center. As the Islanders' surprising season has unfolded, Nassau County politicians have been pushing the league to hold postseason games on Long Island, and the team said the verdict to have the first-round games at their longtime home came with the involvement of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

In what looked to be rebuilding season, especially considering the loss of longtime center John Tavares as a free agent, the Islanders instead are 34-17-6, with their 74 points leading the Metropolitan Division by three points over the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. --Field Level Media