Islanders delay Canadiens’ playoff plans by winning 4-3 in shootout

Islanders delay Canadiens’ playoff plans

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Frans Nielsen scored the tying goal with 2:01 left in regulation and added another goal in the shootout as the New York Islanders beat Montreal 4-3 to prevent the Canadiens from clinching a playoff spot on Tuesday night.

The Canadiens were moments away from securing their third straight trip to the postseason when Nielsen wrecked the plans. He and Matt Moulson scored on New York’s only two attempts in the shootout to give the also-ran Islanders their fifth win in six games.

Martin Biron made 28 traditional saves and then stopped Maxim Lapierre on Montreal’s first shootout attempt. The win was sealed when Mike Cammalleri hit the post on the final try.

Lapierre’s breakaway goal had given the Canadiens a 3-2 lead in the third period.