Canadiens hang on for 3- 1 win over Islanders
Add the New York Islanders to the list of teams the Canadiens would like to see in the playoffs. Carey Price made 35 saves as the Canadiens completed a three- game series sweep of the Islanders with a 3- 1 victory Saturday night in the final regular- season game between these teams at the Nassau Coliseum.
Stretching the edge: The win was only the second in the past six games for the Canadiens, but it allowed them to pad their lead atop the Atlantic Division. Montreal moved two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning, which dropped a 2- 1 decision to Winnipeg. The Canadiens also hold a game in hand on the Lightning.
Quick release: Tomas Plekanec gave the Canadiens a 1- 0 lead when he scored at the tail end of a tick- tacktoe play at the 58- second mark of the second period. P. A. Parenteau started the play with a drop pass to Alex Galchenyuk, who set up Plekanec for a one- timer from the side of the net. It was Plekanec’s 20th goal of the season while Parenteau, who played two seasons with the Islanders, collected an assist for his first point since Dec. 23, when he had an assist in another 3- 1 win over the Islanders here.
Canadiens deadly on the PK: For the second game in a row, Max Pacioretty scored a short- handed goal with some help from Lars Eller, who received an assist, and Jeff Petry, who didn’t. Petry put the clearing pass deep in the Islanders’ zone. Goalie Michal Neuvirth stopped the puck behind the net, but none of his teammates went to play it. Eller swept in and found Pacioretty in front of the net at 3: 13 of the second period. It was Pacioretty ’s third goal in the past two games and his 34th of the season. Price already matches best season: Carey Price posted his 38th win of the season. That’s tops in the NHL and it matches his career high established in the 2010- 11 season. He lost his shutout when Josh Bailey scored an unassisted power- play goal late in the third period. Eller scored an empty- net goal for the final margin of victory.
What’s next: While snow is expected to fall on Montreal, the Canadiens are heading south. They have an Atlantic Division showdown with the Lightning Monday and then move across the state of Florida to play the Panthers on Tuesday. They’re back at the Bell Centre for games Thursday against Carolina and Saturday against San Jose.