PITTSBURGH — Embattled goaltender Jaroslav Halak is glad to be back and contributing to the Islanders’ run to the playoffs.
Halak, after spending time with AHL Bridgeport, won for the first time since December when John Tavares scored in the shootout to lead the Islanders over the Penguins 4-3 on Friday, pushing them into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Islanders are tied with Boston at 82 points for that wild-card spot, but have a game in hand on the Bruins. The Islanders were last in the conference at one point, but now they have 18 wins in 31 games since Doug Weight was named interim coach on Jan. 17, replacing Jack Capuano.
“Anytime you win a game, it’s always great,” said Halak, the former All-Star who made 37 saves. “I think it’s more special right now after being called up and playing my first game right now in this late stage of the season.”
Anthony Beauvillier opened the shootout with a goal, and Tavares snapped a wrist shot past Marc-Andre Fleury in the next round. Sidney Crosby scored in the shootout for Pittsburgh, but Halak, making his first start since Dec. 29, stopped Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino.
“[Halak] was called on to make some big saves, especially in the shootout,” Tavares said. “It was good to have him back and great to see him come up and get rewarded.”
Anders Lee scored his 28th goal of the season, while Brock Nelson got his 17th and Casey Cizikas his eighth for the Islanders.