The New York Islanders locked up the NHL’s final playoff berth with a 4-2 win against the visiting Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday in their season finale.
The result eliminates the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had the NHL’s longest active playoff streak at 16 years.
It marks the first time the Penguins will miss the playoffs since Sidney Crosby’s rookie year in 2005-06.
The Penguins’ surprising 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday opened the door for the Islanders to secure an East wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh’s loss to one of the league’s worst teams came one day after the Islanders handed the Penguins a golden opportunity to make the playoffs by losing to the Washington Capitals.
Had the Penguins won their final two games – they face Columbus on Thursday – they would have made the playoffs.
The Islanders are in the playoffs for the fourth time in five years after missing last year.
New York will need to wait for Thursday night to find out if they end up in the first or second Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Florida Panthers, which sit one point below the Islanders, host the Carolina Hurricanes at FLA Live Arena.
The regular season wraps up Friday and the playoffs start Monday.
