Islanders Slip By Panthers

     The Florida Panthers fell short in a shootout to the New York Islanders 2-1 at BB&T Center on Thursday night. The Panthers will finish their season at home on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The Islanders travel up to Washington D.C. to face the defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals.
     After a scoreless first period, New York(47-27-7) struck at 1:50 of the second. Josh Bailey stole the puck at the left point and pushed it ahead. Michael Dal Colle sent a cross-ice pass from the left circle to the right circle. Brock Nelson followed with one-time slap shot by Sam Montembeault for his 25th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
     Florida(36-32-13) got a power-play goal with 7:15 remaining in the third period. Keith Yandle fired a long lead pass from his own defensive zone to Jonathan Huberdeau at the Isles blue line. He skated through the slot and snapped a shot from the low slot past Thomas Greiss for his 29th goal of the campaign. It was Hubedeau's sixth goal in the last six games and his 90th point of the season. He joined Pavel Bure, Olli Jokinen and Aleksander Barkov as the only Panthers players to even reach 90 points in the season.
     In the shootout, the Islanders were able to pull it out on their fourth attempt. Nelson approached the net and put a backhand shot through the legs of Montembault.