It backed up a 3-1 triumph over the Devils, giving the surging Islanders the same amount of points (39) as New Jersey. They’ve played one more game and two more than the Blueshirts but with 11 games left, they’re in position to make the playoffs for the first time since ’07. While their closest rivals have been inconsistent, the Isles have played well winning five of six. Unlike the Devils and Rangers, they’ve been able to score goals getting at least three in all five wins.

Even better for the Islanders is that they’re not just relying on leading scorer John Tavares or sidekick Matt Moulson. In tonight’s victory, Anders Lee scored on his first career shot and Colin McDonald continued his strong season with his seventh. Frans Nielsen notched the winner with a power play goal that came at 19:32 of the second period. Moulson and Tavares added insurance markers, making a winner of backup Kevin Poulin (23 saves). He became the first goalie other than Evgeni Nabokov to record a win in 2013. Entering play, Nabokov had won all 17 to keep them in the race. 

 

With the game scoreless, Lee picked a great time to get his first NHL goal. Playing in his first game after the club signed him, he had his parents in attendance. The 21-year old took a routine shot from the left circle that went through Ondrej Pavelec. Pavelec didn’t move on it with perhaps Tobias Enstrom screening him out. Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas picked up helpers. Two of the Isles’ valuable depth players who have contributed all season. 

It didn’t take long for the Jets to respond. Less than two minutes later, Paul Postma scored his first of two on the night when he steered home an Eric Tangradi rebound. Unchecked, he beat Poulin in front for his second at 18:06. Postma wasn’t done tripling his goal output to give Winnipeg a 2-1 lead at 6:02 of the second. Chris Thorburn added an assist and Tangradi recorded his second helper. 

Undaunted, the Islanders struck back thanks to McDonald. On the attack, McDonald steered home his seventh off a Michael Grabner rebound. Mark Streit helped set it up. They dominated the period out-shooting the Jets 18-8. Despite a big edge in play, they needed a late power play to finally go ahead for good. With Evander Kane complaining about an obvious hooking minor, Nielsen took care of a Josh Bailey rebound for his fourth with 28 seconds left in the stanza. Streit notched his second assist.

Poulin kept the Jets off the board in a more competitive third. He stopped all eight shots. Moulson scored his first in 14 games with two minutes left. Tavares set it up. Despite not having a goal over a 13-game span, Moulson was still contributing with 10 assists. That’s the difference between him and a couple of overpaid stars on our side of the rivalry. 

Tavares added an empty netter for his 23rd. His 23 markers trail only Steven Stamkos, who leads the league with 25. If he can get them into the playoffs, he should get some Hart consideration. Granted. It’s Sidney Crosby’s to lose even if he’s expected to miss the rest of the regular season due to a broken jaw. Tavares has been remarkable for the Islanders and deserves credit. I’ll put him over any of the other candidates (P. Kane, Getzlaf, Toews, Kadri, Stamkos) if the Isles make it.

3rd Star-Paul Postma, WPG (2 goals-2nd, 3rd in 16:49)

2nd Star-Colin McDonald, NYI (7th of season, 6 hits, +1 in 10:08)

1st Star-Mark Streit, NYI (2 assists in 18:04)