"The margin of error is small," Connor Murphy said. "Teams this time of year, if you’re going to play for a playoff spot, you have to be sharp for longer periods of the game. We weren’t sharp for long enough." Nashville Predators

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• The Anthony Beauvillier–Josh Bailey-J.G. Pageau line has been clicking for the Islanders. [Isles Blog]

The Predators were thought to be dead in the water and definite sellers at the trade deadline but that was before they took off as they are currently 15-5-0 in their last 20 games to move into fourth place in the Central. Edmonton Oilers

Jordan Eberle and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each had a goal and an assist, and Brock Nelson also scored. Semyon Varlamov stopped 25 shots to help the Islanders win their second straight and seventh in the last 10 to pull into a tie with Washington atop the East Division ahead of a stretch of three straight games against the Capitals. St. Louis Blues

“It’s easier to play when you’re losing 6-0, so we chipped away,” Hughes said. "It’s embarrassing to be losing 6-0 in the NHL. Like I said, it’s impossible to win a game when you give up seven goals.”

Points: 62 Regulation wins: 24 Playoff position: E1 Games left: 10 Next game: @ NYI (Apr. 22) Playoff chances: 98.4% Tragic number: N/A Dallas Stars

For some, it made sense for the Predators not to blow things up. While the Predators aren’t guaranteed to beat out the Blackhawks and Stars for the final Central Division playoff spot, they’re very much in the chase.