Islanders in playoff position, Panthers have work to do as teams meet

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers do not have to be reminded that five of the eight teams currently occupying a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference did not make the postseason last year.

And the Panthers will get another glimpse at a team attempting to take their spot in the tournament Sunday night, when Florida opens a four-game road trip by visiting the surging New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y.

The Panthers are coming off a 3-2 loss to the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.