Nelson’s two goals were the difference as the Islanders are elated and the Penguins are finished.
The New York Islanders will return to the postseason thanks to their 4-2 victory at home against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night after missing last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Islanders’ victory dooms the Penguins, whose playoff streak ends at 17 seasons. Pittsburgh disastrously lost 5-2 at home against the Blackhawks on Tuesday to clinch a wild-card spot for the Florida Panthers and open the door for New York to lock up playoff hockey. Islanders fans will be eager to see their team in the playoffs again after its previous two postseason efforts saw them take the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning to the brink in consecutive Conference Finals.Mat Barzal has been out of action since February 18 and is no guarantee to appear in the postseason, while trade acquisition Bo Horvat has struggled to capture the form that made him a force in Vancouver.
Still, Nelson’s banner year and contributions from veterans Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri provided enough offense to get the job done in front of New York’s vaunted defense.
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