Halak, red-hot Islanders dump Devils
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New York Islanders did their part to remain alive in the battle for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference Saturday night, skating to a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.
Afterward, they waited on the outcome in Toronto where the Maple Leafs hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins, a contest which started an hour after the game in New Jersey.
A win by the Maple Leafs would mathematically eliminate the Islanders from postseason contention. A loss in any fashion by Toronto would allow New York to remain alive going into the last day of the regular season on Sunday.
Jaroslav Halak continued his brilliant play in goal for the Islanders (40-29-12), who won their fifth consecutive game. Halak, who made 37 saves, has surrendered only six goals in the last five games.
Playing their final home game of the season, the last-place Devils (28-39-14) put forth a spirited effort, recording seven shots on goal in the game's first four minutes and outshooting New York 14-4 in the scoreless first period.
Halak made stunning saves in the first on Miles Wood, Jacob Josefson and Taylor Hall before stoning Hall again on a breakaway with 1:20 left in the period.
The Islanders rewarded their goaltender's outstanding effort by scoring a pair of goals less than four minutes apart in the second period to jump out to a 2-0 lead.
Adam Pelech potted his third at 2:48 and Anders Lee scored at 6:23 on a deflection with his back to the net.
Jason Chimera made it 3-0 Islanders, scoring off a 2-on-1 with Alan Quine 3:52 into the third period.
Halak lost his shutout bid 68 seconds later after he accidentally kicked a loose puck into his own cage at the five-minute mark of the third. Beau Bennett was credited with the goal.
New York responded quickly on Lee's second goal of the game, and team-leading 33rd of the season, on the power play at 8:11.
NOTES: Patrik Elias, the Devils' all-time leading scorer and two-time Stanley Cup champion, took pre-game warmups and the ceremonial opening face-off with former teammate Stephen Gionta of the Islanders. Elias announced his retirement last week after not playing a single game this season due to injury. ... The Devils scratched RW Devante Smith-Pelly (lower body), LW Joseph Blandisi, and LW Ben Thomson. ... The Islanders scratched C John Tavares (lower body), C Casey Cizikas (upper body), RW Ryan Strome (upper body), LW Shane Prince (lower body), D Travis Hamonic (upper body), and C Connor Jones.