Senators 5, Islanders 1
SENATORS 5, ISLANDERS 1: Kyle Turris collected two goals and two assists and Craig Anderson turned aside 29 shots as visiting Ottawa clinched a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons.
The Senators, who were playing without leading scorer Jason Spezza and captain Daniel Alfredsson, netted three second-period goals to earn their fourth straight win.
Spezza’s wife gave birth to the couple’s second child early Sunday morning and Alfredsson was a late scratch because of an illness.
Turris became the primary offensive option, scoring Ottawa’s first and last goals of the contest. He also assisted on two second-period markers.
After veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar’s one-timer put the Senators up 2-1 in the second frame, All-Star Milan Michalek notched his 35th goal just 2:51 later. Michalek added two assists for a three-point outing.
Captain Mark Streit scored the lone goal for the Islanders, who have lost back-to-back contests.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Senators center Jesse Winchester notched an assist in his return to the lineup after being out since Dec. 20 with concussion issues. ... Islanders forward Kyle Okposo’s five-game goal-scoring streak came to an end.