Isles Score Twice With Empty Net Still Lose To Flyers In Regulation

The Isles had a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a point against the Flyers, and got a pair of empty net goals inside two minutes to tie the game. The last, by Anders Lee off a beautiful faceoff win and dish by John Tavares, came with 28 seconds to play. All New York needed to do was ride out the final moments to cap a brilliant comeback.

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Now, the Islanders still have work to do. Halak floundered on a Brayden Schenn shot from just inside the blue line, costing the Isles what seemed like a sure point and the clinching of their third playoff appearance since the lockout in 2004-05.

For the Islanders to miss the playoffs, they would need to lose their final two games — at Pittsburgh and home against the red-hot Blue Jackets — and Ottawa would need to win its final two on the road against the Rangers and Flyers.