Canadiens Blank Sinking Islanders

The Islanders' 28th-ranked offense had no chance against Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak, coming up empty in a tough 3-0 loss. The fifth straight defeat leaves the depleted New York squad well out of playoff reach, while the win boosts Montreal to the top of the Northeast Division and to second overall in the Eastern Conference, Newsday reports. On other NHL ice:

• Phoenix fell to a tighter Edmonton team in a 5-2 loss that left it 5 points back of Vancouver for the last playoff spot in the West. Edmonton is 7 points back of the Canucks.
• With the suspension of captain Chris Pronger, Anaheim found inspiration in a goal and two assists from Martin Schneider and two goals from Rob Niedermayer in a 5-2 victory over St. Louis.