N-Y Islanders 3 - Montreal 2

The Montreal Canadiens waited too long to gear up and lost a very important game 3-2 to the N-Y Islanders.

After 2 periods the score was 3-1 for the Islanders when Chris Higgins scored and gave hope early in the 3rd period. The Habs played a very good 3rd period but goaltender Rick DiPietro made very good saves to keep the 1 goal lead intact.

Later in the period, the new Islanders acquisition, defensemen Marc-André Bergeron saved a sure goal by blocking a shot with his skates as his goaltender was out of position. That play was the turning point of the game. With that win the N-Y Islanders now total 70 points, same total as Montreal but have 2 more games to play than Montreal.