Islanders host playoff-bound Senators

After months of playing important games, the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators have nothing to play for in the regular season finale for both Sunday at Barclays Center.

The Islanders (40-29-12) were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention Saturday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins and clinched the final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference.

The Senators (44-27-10), meanwhile, locked up second place in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with Saturday's 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers.

It is the first time since the 2007 postseason that Ottawa begins a playoff series at home.

"It's a pride thing," said Ottawa's first-year coach Guy Boucher on the team's web site. "We're really proud of that; but I really believe when you get to the playoffs, it's great, you're in front of your fans, but for me ... it's not about home or away, it's about winning it."

The Senators battled through a lot of adversity this season to reach the playoffs for the second time in the past three years. They had injuries to several key players down the stretch, lost more than 200 man-games to injury on the season, and earned a playoff berth despite losing seven of nine games from mid-March to April 1 by winning their last three contests.

Paramount to Ottawa's success during the current three-game win streak is goaltender Craig Anderson allowing only two goals. He made 18 saves against the Rangers, losing his shutout bid with less than one minute to play.

"We played with confidence (Saturday), got the win, got the two points, solidified second place," said Anderson on the Senators Twitter account. "It allows us to really concentrate on the next few days to get ready for the playoffs."

Boucher told reporters Saturday that he expects injured regulars such as captain Erik Karlsson to be healthy in time for the start of the postseason next week.

He also pointed out that Clarke MacArthur, who played three straight games after missing the first 78 this season because of a concussion, inspires the team every day, which is an added lift heading into the playoffs.

"Clarke MacArthur, what a player," Boucher said. "Can you believe we didn't have him all year? Well, we have him now."

Sunday's game is not what the Islanders hoped for or perhaps expected when they skated off the Prudential Center ice Saturday following a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Their fifth consecutive victory kept playoff hopes alive until the

Maple Leafs contest went final roughly an hour later, ending New York's dream finish.

"It (stinks)," Islanders forward Anders Lee said after the game Saturday while awaiting the out of town result. "But we put ourselves in this position and have no control over it. It's out of our hands."

Lee did his part for the Islanders. His two goals against the Devils raised his total to a team-high 33 this season, a career best.

"Anders Lee has been an absolute beast in all parts of the game, and scoring big goals," Islanders interim coach Doug Weight said.

Down the stretch, though, no one player carried the team more than goaltender Jaroslav Halak.

After the veteran netminder returned from a three-month demotion to the minor leagues, he won six of seven starts for the Islanders, posting a goals-against average of less than two and a save percentage hovering around 95 percent.

During the Islanders five-game winning streak the final two weeks -- all must-win games, Halak allowed only six goals.

"I don't look in the past, I just focus on game to game and try to win games," Halak said.

Despite these clutch performances, the Islanders play their final game Sunday, missing the playoffs for the first time in three years.

"We've done all we can do, and you just hope for the best, hope to play a meaningful game (Sunday)," said veteran forward Jason Chimera shortly before the Islanders fate was sealed Saturday.