NHL

Islanders clinch playoff spot after shootout loss

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Islanders clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot despite a 4-3 shootout loss to the Hurricanes Tuesday night.

With the point they received by reaching overtime, coupled with a loss by the Winnipeg Jets at Washington, the Islanders secured a place in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Kyle Okposo tied it with 1:01 left in regulation and had an assist. Josh Bailey and Brad Boyes also scored, and Evgeni Nabokov made 29 saves for the Islanders.

Riley Nash and Jeff Skinner scored in the shootout to give the Hurricanes the victory.

Carolina’s Jordan Staal had a goal and an assist, Patrick Dwyer and Alexander Semin added goals, and Dan Ellis made 36 saves before stopping Frans Nielsen and Boyes in the shootout.