Regardless of the final result, the New York Islanders' 2017-18 season is only going to be defined by John Tavares' next move.

The perennial Hart-worthy superstar and organizational linchpin will be an unrestricted free agent in July if he and the Isles, who selected Tavares first overall in 2009, can't reach an extension before the end of the season.

Tavares has affirmed his interest in staying with the club numerous times, but any potential information on offers and negotiations from the team's standpoint has largely been kept under wraps, which is a reasonable approach considering the magnitude of the situation.

The journey down the winding road to the end of his current contract has seen Tavares endure changing arenas, new owners, a coaching change, and only one playoff series win - a double-OT triumph in Game 6 of the 2016 first round, the clincher courtesy of No. 91.

That said, the situation between Tavares and the Islanders might be as good as it's ever been, right now. But is it enough to keep him around?

Individually, Tavares has been outstanding this season, netting 26 points through 23 games. But somewhat quietly, the Islanders have been playing quite well as a whole. Since Doug Weight took over as head coach in January, he's led his club to 38-19-6 record - the third-most wins in the NHL over that span, behind only the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals.

Weight managed to salvage what seemed like a lost season in 2016-17 and fell one point shy of the final playoff spot in the East. Right now, the Islanders sit third in the new-look Metropolitan Division, just two points out of first with one game in hand on both the Devils and Blue Jackets.

The Islanders' success through this point in the season is mainly credited to the NHL's third-most potent attack - but at last, Tavares isn't the only contributor. Josh Bailey, his right winger, actually leads the club in scoring thanks to 23 helpers. Elsewhere, Nick Leddy is tied for second among defesemen in points with 20, and rookie dynamo Mathew Barzal is blazing his way to the Calder Trophy, averaging a point per game.

The Islanders seemingly have enough complimentary weapons throughout the lineup to compete this season, and if a chance at the Stanley Cup is Tavares' main focus before signing what would likely be the final long-term contract of his career, general manager Garth Snow might want to prove winning is a possibility in Brooklyn.

The team's weakness is between the pipes, as Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss each have .903 save percentages through 12 games played. Elite netminders don't exactly grow on trees, and acquiring talent in goal via trade is next to impossible.

Defensively, the Islanders average 32.3 shots against per game, which ranks ninth in the NHL, and they sit 12th at 2.28 expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five (Corsica). Still, adding a significant piece to the blue line to solidify the roster and potentially help mask any problems created by Halak or Greiss might be the best avenue for New York to achieve anything going forward.

Asset wise, the Islanders obtained three high-end picks in the Travis Hamonic deal, and have a few promising prospects who haven't quite scratched the NHL surface yet and could become expendable. It might be a steep cost, but if it helps keep Tavares in town, it's definitely worth exploring.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray suffered a lower-body injury Monday versus the Philadelphia Flyers, and will be out week to week, head coach Mike Sullivan announced Tuesday.

Murray exited the contest late in the second period after Flyers forward Jakub Voracek lost balance and crashed hard into the goal. Backup Tristan Jarry provided relief and will be the starter for the back-to-back champs going forward.

In 20 starts this season, Murray owns an 11-7-1 record, to go with a .906 save percentage and 2.95 goals-against average.

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With the International Olympic Committee set to rule on the participation of Russian athletes in the 2018 Winter Games, amid widespread doping, the International Ice Hockey Federation Council voiced its full support for allowing all clean athletes from that nation to play.

From IIHF President René Fasel:

The IIHF Council has reached a unanimous opinion that all clean athletes, including those from Russia, must be permitted to represent their country in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang.

We oppose the use of collective punishment in the case of Russian athletes. Although we recognize the need to confront doping in sport, Olympic participation should not be used to sanction the many for the actions of the few. In addition, the extent to which the IOC is seeking punitive measures in the case of Russia is putting the health of ice hockey at risk.

The full statement can be read here.

A decision on whether to ban all Russian atheletes will be made by the IOC next week.

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As the Pittsburgh Penguins await word on the apparent leg injury that Matt Murray suffered Monday, they don't sound concerned about handing the reins to Tristan Jarry in the meantime.

Head coach Mike Sullivan likes what he sees from the 22-year-old, and believes a 33-save performance in a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday is indicative of what the youngster can bring to the table.

"As far as Tristan's concerned, we believe he's a solid goalie," Sullivan said, according to Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette. "I think the game he played against Tampa was the perfect indication of what he's capable of. That being said, if that becomes the scenario, then Tristan's going to have to make timely saves for us game in and game out. We believe he can do that."

Jarry was selected 44th overall by Pittsburgh in 2013, and recorded a .925 save percentage while winning 28 games for the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season.

He's appeared in only five games for the Penguins over the past two seasons, posting a record of 2-1-2 with a .902 save percentage.

Murray is set for further evaluation on Tuesday. Pittsburgh doesn't play until Friday in Buffalo, giving the team a few days to figure things out.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning's top line isn't shining as brightly these days.

After a cracking start that sent Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov to the top of the NHL scoring leaderboard, the unit, rounded out by Vladislav Namestnikov, has cooled off significantly, and the team has lost three of its last four.

The trio has combined for four points over those four games, with Kucherov and Stamkos recording an assist apiece and Namestnikov chipping in a goal and a helper.

After a recent video session, Stamkos - who admits to being frustrated by the recent skid - was encouraged by the opportunities being generated, and believes it's only a matter of time before the Lighting convert them.

"When you go watch afterwards, sometimes it's not as bad as you think when you're going through a little bit of a tough patch in terms of production," Stamkos said Monday, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "We're still getting chances. They're not always going to go in. You know it's not going to last the whole season."

Tampa Bay remains first in the Eastern Conference, but only has a two-point cushion over New Jersey, The Lightning will have every opportunity to get rolling again, however, in a visit to the last-place Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

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The CFL season ended Sunday, but a Winnipeg franchise scored a touchdown and added the extra point on Monday night.

The Jets poured in seven straight goals, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to destroy the Minnesota Wild 7-2 at Bell MTS Place.

Winnipeg scored a pair of markers to tie the game late in the first period, added two more in the middle stanza, and piled on three more in the third.

Seven different players scored for the Jets, as Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and Kyle Connor all scored a goal and added two assists apiece.

It was the second time the Jets notched seven goals in a game this season, following their 7-1 pummelling of the Pittsburgh Penguins back on Oct. 29.

Winnipeg came into Monday's game ranked ninth in goals per game in the league at 3.13.

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Two games, two wins.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price secured his second straight win in as many games Monday, as the Canadiens defeated the Blue Jackets by a 3-1 score. The victory snapped Columbus' six-game win streak and, in the process, gave Price his first consecutive wins on the season.

Price allowed one goal on 38 shots against the Blue Jackets, just two nights after recording his first shutout of the season against the Buffalo Sabres.

Since his 10-game absence, Price has turned aside 73 shots for a spectacular .986 save percentage. It's a stark contrast from his performance earlier this season, when he owned a .877 save rate through his first 11 appearances.

In 13 games, Price is 5-7-1 with a 3.24 GAA and .898 save percentage. But If his last two outings are any indication, the Canadiens' MVP appears to be back to his old self.

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Roberto Luongo's longevity continues to help him etch his name in the record books.

The Florida Panthers goaltender hit another milestone Monday, earning his 200th win with the organization in a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, and becoming only the second netminder in NHL history to notch that many victories with two different teams.

It took Luongo 507 games to win 200 with the Panthers, which works out to a win percentage of only .394. He won 258 in 448 contests with the Vancouver Canucks.

The 38-year-old now has 459 career victories in 979 career games, for a .469 win percentage. He moved into sole possession of fourth place on the NHL's all-time wins list earlier this month, passing Curtis Joseph, who required only 953 games to win 454.

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