Hockey roundup: Isles move three points up on Wings for final wild-card spot

The New York Islanders claimed two big points Thursday in their quest for a playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars in Elmont, N. Y. Bo Horvat scored to reach the 30-goal mark for the fourth time in his career, and Calum Ritchie added his 11th for the Islanders (41-27-5, 87 points).

Matthew Schaefer assisted on both goals, while Emil Heineman and Ryan Pulock also recorded assists. Ilya Sorokin was 2:59 away from a shutout, making 26 saves in the victory. Combined with Pittsburgh's win over Ottawa, the result moved the Islanders back into the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

The Islanders are also three points ahead of the Red Wings, who began the night only one point out of the playoffs. Detroit will be in Buffalo Friday to face the first-place Sabres. Matt Duchene scored for the Stars (43-18-11, 97 points), who lost for their fourth straight, their longest skid since going 0-3-3 from late December to early January.

Jake Oettinger, pulled after one period in his last start against New Jersey, nearly matched Sorokin by making 23 saves. After a disappointing home loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday that put the Islanders on the outside of the playoff picture, they responded with one of their better games of the season. Horvat put the Islanders ahead less than five minutes into the contest, taking the feed from his linemate Heineman and beating Oettinger on his stick side from the left faceoff circle.