Palmieri’s OT goal lifts Isles to sixth straight

ISLANDERS 3 CANADIENS 2

Kyle Palmieri scored at 1:17 of overtime and the Islanders extended their winning streak to six games with a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday night in Elmont.

Pierre Engvall and Casey Cizikas also scored, Semyon Varlamov stopped 13 shots and the Islanders inched closer to securing a playoff spot. Adam Pelech added two assists for the Isles, who are in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points — three ahead of Pittsburgh with three games remaining.

Palmieri’s winner was his 28th goal of the season and extended his individual goal streak to four games.

Cole Caufield scored and recorded an assist, and Sam Montembault stopped 30 shots, but the Canadiens lost for the fourth time in five games.

Isles defenseman Noah Dobson left at 5:33 of the first period and didn’t return. Dobson is second on the team with 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists) and leads the Islanders by averaging just shy of 25 minutes of ice time. Cizikas helped the Islanders erase a one-goal deficit for the second time when he beat the outstretched leg of Montembault to the far post and neatly tucked in a backhand at 6:30.

Caufield slid a puck between the legs of Varlamov and broke a 1-1 third-period tie at 3:42.

Harris opened the scoring late in the first with a knuckle-type slap shot that tricked Varlamov. Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock blocked a shot earlier in the sequence without his stick, but the Canadiens eventually prevailed on the extended possession.

Varlamov made a critical glove save in the final minute of the opening period, denying Joel Armia’s opportunity from the top of the crease.