Islanders prevent Penguins from clinching, ensure 1st-round series vs. Capitals

The Pittsburgh Penguins will need to defeat the Buffalo Sabres on the final day of the regular season in order to secure a playoff berth after their winless streak hit five games in a loss to the New York Islanders on Friday.

Jaroslav Halak made 37 saves and John Tavares scored the winner in the 3-1 victory for New York. The Islanders will face the Washington Capitals in the opening round of the playoffs.

New York suffered a scare in the victory, losing defenseman Travis Hamonic to an undisclosed injury. Hamonic will have nearly a week to recover before the playoffs are scheduled to start.

Pittsburgh is a point ahead of the Boston Bruins and currently hold the second wild-card spot with one game remaining for each team. The Penguins are 0-4-1 in April.