In this picture taken with a fisheye lens, Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20), of Denmark, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Markus Nutivaara (65), of Finland, chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 23, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
In this picture taken with a fisheye lens, Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20), of Denmark, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Markus Nutivaara (65), of Finland, chase the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 23, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Credit: Nick Wass

Chicago — The International Olympic Committee and hockey’s governing body will have to make concessions before the NHL sends the world’s best players to the Winter Games in South Korea next year, commissioner Gary Bettman said on Friday.

“As things stand today, you should assume we’re not going,” he said.

Bettman made it clear at a breakfast with Chicago business leaders that league owners don’t want to stop their season for three weeks again and put their stars at risk of injury without what they consider a tangible return. The reluctance is not new, but the NHL has participated in every Winter Olympics since 1998.

“If nothing changes, I don’t see anybody participating,” Bettman said. “If somebody proposes something that’s pragmatic, that’s radically different, that gets the attention of the clubs where they say, ‘You know what, we don’t like going, but on balance it’s worth it because of this,’ we’ll have to look at it again.”

He said the league has no timetable to resolve the dispute. The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Rene Fasel, said on Thursday he needs to know by the end of April.

Asked exactly what the league would need, Bettman said: “I don’t know. It’s something I would have to go back to the clubs on because the clubs are overwhelmingly negative on the subject.”

Besides the three-week layoff and the possible injuries stemming from a condensed schedule, Bettman mentioned the expense of sending players to the Olympics. The IIHF came up with the $10 million necessary after the IOC indicated it would not cover the cost as it did in the past, including $14 million for the 2014 Winter Games.

NHL Players Association Executive Director Don Fehr said players want to participate. He sees a chance for the NHL to build its fan base in Asia, where the next two Winter Olympics will be held.

While the league isn’t particularly interested in marketing in South Korea, it does have its eyes on China and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where Bettman is scheduled to be next week. Fasel said it may be “difficult” for the league to count on going to China in 2022 if it skips South Korea.

Friday’s Games

Islanders 4, Penguins 33 (so)

Pittsburgh — John Tavares and Anthony Beauvillier scored in the shootout to lead New York over Pittsburgh.

Beauvillier opened the shootout with a goal, and Tavares snapped a wrist shot past Marc-Andre Fleury in the next round. Sidney Crosby scored in the shootout for Pittsburgh, but Jaroslav Halak, making his first start since Dec. 29, stopped Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino.

Anders Lee scored his 28th goal of the season, while Brock Nelson got his 17th and Casey Cizikas his eighth for the Islanders, who moved into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. New York is tied with Boston at 82 points, but the Islanders have a game in hand on the Bruins.

Lightning 2, Red Wings 1 (ot)

Detroit — Nikita Kucherov scored 3:28 into overtime to lift Tampa Bay over Detroit.

Situated on the edge of the crease, Kucherov redirected a hard pass from Brayden Point into the net.

The Lightning are one point behind the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders for the final Eastern Conference wild card.