Despite being eliminated from the playoffs, the Islanders continued their late-season surge last night with a 4-3 shootout win against the Canadiens at the Coliseum — denying Montreal a chance to clinch a postseason berth.
It was the Isles’ fifth win in six games and third straight against a playoff hopeful, as they beat the Senators and Flyers last week.
Once the Rangers lost at Buffalo earlier last night, the Canadiens needed only to beat the Islanders to get in. Now they have to wait.
The Canadiens are sixth in the Eastern Conference, five points ahead of the Rangers. Montreal, with two games remaining, is one point in front of Philadelphia and two ahead of Boston. Montreal needs one point at Carolina tomorrow or at home against Toronto on Saturday to qualify for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, had the Isles not started the season 1-9, and lost seven games in a row before the Olympic break, they could very well be in a position to make the playoffs themselves.
“I think our guys are just playing with a lot of confidence right now, ” coach Scott Gordon said after the team came back late in the third period.
The Islanders got on the scoreboard first 12:29 into the game as Blake Comeau ripped a shot past Jaroslav Halak on a feed from Sean Bergenheim.
The Canadiens tied the game midway through the second period when Andrei Kostitsyn threw a cross-ice pass to Tomas Plekanec, who fired one over the right shoulder of Martin Biron.
Just over two minutes later, the Canadiens’ Brian Gionta scored on the power play to give Montreal a 2-1 lead.
But the Islanders got that goal back early in the third when Bergenheim ripped a slapshot past Halak.
Montreal scored to take a 3-2 lead but the Islanders tied it with two minutes to play on a goal by Frans Nielsen.
In the shootout, Matt Moulson and Frans Nielsen scored for the Isles, while Maxim Lapierre and Mike Cammalleri both missed.
“We’re on a very good roll, and it’s great to have success. You want to win these close one-goal games,” said Biron, who had 31 saves.
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It was the Islanders first win in four tries this season against Montreal. Comeau left the game in the second period with a foot injury. … The Islanders finish the season with two games against Pittsburgh and one against the Devils, and will have a huge say in who wins the Atlantic Division.
david.satriano @nypost.com