Islanders 2, Canadiens 0: Evgeni Nabokov recorded his 59th career shutout while Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson each scored a power-play goal in the second period as visiting New York salvaged the finale of its three-game season series with Montreal.

Nabokov finished with 19 saves and added an assist on Nelson's tally as the Islanders snapped their three-game winless skid (0-2-1).

Carey Price turned aside 28 shots for the Canadiens, who fell to 10-3-1 in the last 14 games and saw their lead over third-place Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division dip to one point. The Lightning posted a 4-2 triumph over Philadelphia on Thursday.

The game's complexion changed midway through the second period as Montreal defenseman Douglas Murray was whistled for a five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct following his hit on New York's Johan Sundstrom. The Islanders converted at 15:05 of the session, when Strome's blast from the point caromed off the post and into the net for his sixth goal.

Nelson doubled the advantage with 20 seconds left in the session as his shot from the left faceoff circle beat Price inside the near post. Nabokov made the modest offense stand up, preserving his fourth shutout of the season by stopping 11 shots over the final 40 minutes.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Montreal C Alex Galchenyuk had an MRI exam for his lower-body injury on Thursday. The team did not disclose the results but did announce the 20-year-old would miss the Canadiens' first-round playoff series against Tampa Bay. Galchenyuk was injured in Wednesday's game against Chicago. ... Islanders RW Cal Clutterbuck sat out with an upper-body injury. ... Sundstrom was taken to the hospital after the hit by Murray for further observation.