SUNRISE, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — They may not be playing for a division title this weekend, but Brock Nelson made sure the playoff-bound New York Islanders still control their destiny in the final game of the season.
Nelson scored in the second period and then got the winner in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Islanders a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.
New York remained two points ahead of Pittsburgh for second place in the Metropolitan Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Islanders need to earn just one point in the season finale at Washington on Saturday to clinch second.