Islanders secure a crucial win, but their playoff hopes hinge on tight races as Blue Jackets and Penguins surge.
The New York Islanders held on to a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night to earn point 81. And it's a good thing they closed that game out, given the out-of-town scoreboard.
The Columbus Blue Jackets extended their point streak to nine games (6-0-3) as they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in a shootout to remain just two points back of the Islanders with one game in hand.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-3 to earn their 81st point of the season and remain ahead of the Islanders, who have one game in hand.
The first-place wild-card Boston Bruins also won, beating the Washington Capitals 3-2 to earn their 80th point of the season, while the Detroit Red Wings earned a point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars to collect their 80th point.