It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

With a bit of help from the rest of the Eastern Conference muck, the Isles have played well enough, long enough to put themselves in position for a third straight improbable close to the regular season, which will annoy and upset fans and pundits across the league - except on Long Island.

Chris and Joe reflect on a stretch of points earned and points that slipped away and talk about players that have stepped up post-trade deadline. Plus, the NHL is keeping the organization in All-Star Weekend limbo, and why Alexander Ovechkin’s trip to Long Island should be a hotter ticket than it is right now.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

It’s not a rebuild; it’s not exactly a retool either. Joe and Chris react to how Lou Lamoriello handled his business at the deadline, which doesn’t provide much insight into how he plans to handle his business over the summer if ownership still believes he is the right man for the job.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

Wednesday proved it’s a seller's market, and the Islanders hold arguably the most valuable asset. The decision to trade or not trade Brock Nelson isn’t just about one player; it’s an inflection point for a franchise that has wanted its team to stay together and stay in playoff contention season after season rather than risk taking a step back to take multiple steps forward.

Chris and Joe reflect on Nelson’s emotional night at UBS Arena and discuss how Lou Lamoriello's path could affect how his tenure as Islanders GM is remembered by segments of the fanbase.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

Cal Clutterbuck called it a “Monday-nighter,” a stale and somewhat uneventful game where neither team got much going all night.

There’s no excuse for that at this point of the season, and certainly no excuse when playing your rival with playoff position on the line after they drubbed you 5-1 on home ice less than a week ago. But alas, that’s what happened to the Islanders in their 4-0 defeat at MSG last night.

Chris and Joe provide their perspective after the team gave GM Lou Lamoriello the latest indication that, no matter how resilient the team has been, the right thing to do for the organization is to sell, and perhaps sell big.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The signs are flashing “SELL!” after the Islanders’ fourth straight loss, a 5-1 defeat to the New York Rangers on home ice, but should it also signal the raising of the white flag on their playoff hopes? Joe and Chris react to Arthur Staple’s reality check article in The Athletic on Wednesday.

Plus, we look at comparable trade returns for Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri and wonder if moves could go beyond the UFAs. Later, we talk about reports of a displeased Patrik Roy at practice. Finally, Chris discusses his brief stint as a radio color analyst with long-time play-by-play announcer Barry Landers, following a “Where are they now?” article by Neil Best in Newsday.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The Islanders failed to earn a point in their first game back from break, setting the stage for the next five games, which could determine whether they are a team fighting for a playoff spot or playing out the stretch. Chris believes that no matter what happens at the trade deadline, the focus should be on Islanders’ ownership and what they do next. Plus, Joe and Chris reflect on the massive success of the Four Nations Face-off and remember longtime MSG broadcaster and Long Islander Al Trautwig, who passed away at the age of 68.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

What to think and who to believe? Insider news, rumors, and flat-out guesses will take shape two weeks before the next Isles game, giving us plenty of time to ponder and ruminate about the team's direction and, more specifically, which Lou Lamoriello is inclined to take them. Chris provides his latest report on Lou’s spot in the organization and contract overtures to Brock Nelson.

Later, Joe and Chris address the Noah Dobson rumors. Could he be available, and should the Islanders be listening? Plus, what are the season ticket views on selling off, and what is the excitement level surrounding the 4 Nations Face-off?

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The worst-case scenario was confirmed on Monday as Mathew Barzal is out indefinitely after blocking a shot off his knee in the closing minutes of Saturday’s win at Tampa Bay. The loss of Barzal significantly dampers the good vibes surrounding this team. Should the injury alter Lou Lamoriello’s approach come the trade deadline? Chris and Joe discuss whether the GM’s mindset should shift, knowing they’ll be without one of their star players in the long term.

Despite the tough news, we find time to reflect on the team’s improbable seven-game winning streak and Ilya Sorokin's elite play. The only thing predictable about the remainder of the season is that it will be unpredictable.

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

The Isles are making their run, and as injuries mount, GM Lou Lamoriello made a pair of shrewd moves to give his veteran core a fighting chance at remaining in the playoff picture. We discuss the mutual moments of desperation that brought Tony DeAngelo to Long Island and why he should be on his best behavior.

Plus, the Islanders made an under-the-radar trade for D Scott Perunovich that Blues fans are convinced will come back to haunt them. We also discuss what an extension for Brock Nelson would look like, retro night at the Coliseum in 2007, and more.

.It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).

Almost every team in the NHL goes on a run at some point.

The good teams, the great teams, and most of the time, even the bad teams. The Islanders have won 5 of 7 but will need a longer, sustained run to climb over the several teams standing between them in a playoff spot with nine games remaining before the February break.

Chris and Joe discuss whether the Isles have a run in them and what that would do to Lou Lamoriello’s thinking in the coming weeks. Plus, grading Patrick Roy after one year and Mathew Barzal’s ‘alleged’ comments about empty seats.