Islanders May Enjoy Last Laugh

Around the NHL

And people laughed when the Islanders talked about making the playoffs.

The only ones laughing now are the Islanders. Led by the red-hot line of Zigmund Palffy, Bryan Smolinski and Robert Reichel, which combined for five goals and six assists Saturday afternoon, the Islanders routed the Boston Bruins 8-2 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.

The victory was the Islanders’ third in a row and second in three days over the Bruins, who are about to be eliminated from making a postseason appearance for the first time in three decades.

The Islanders emerged just a point behind Hartford and Washington - who are tied for for the final of eight playoff slots in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

Elsewhere

At Calgary, Trevor Linden had a goal and an assist and the Vancouver Canucks stayed in the playoff race with a 5-2 win over the Flames.

The Canucks (32-39-5) moved within three points of Calgary (32-36-8) and idle Chicago, which are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Ron Francis scored his 400th and 401st career goals as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 at Pittsburgh.