Thursday April 2

There were a whopping 8 games on Thursday in day 2 of the final push to the playoffs. Former Islanders were involved (let us no say "helped") in 5 of those contests. Here is a look at the FI happenings:

Ottawa defenseman Chris Campoli assisted on his team's lone goal as the Senators were edged by the host Boston Bruins 2-1. Campy has 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points on 71 games. Since joining Ottawa Campoli has played very well with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 20 games.




Montreal d-man Mathieu Schneider scored the game winning powerplay goal against one of his old teams as the Canadiens thumped the host Isles 5-1. With goals in back-to-back games and points in 5 straight Schneids now has 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 64 games. With 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) in 20 games since re-joining the Habs Schneider has equaled the offensive output he had in 44 games with the Atlanta Thrashers earlier this season. The game winner was the 2nd of the season for Schneider and the 36th of his career. For the 11th straight season (!) and 16th time in his career (!) Schneider has reached the 30+ point mark.

Edmonton winger Robert Nilsson had the primary assist on his team's lone goal, a powerplay tally, as the Oilers were edged by the visiting San Jose Sharks 2-1 ostensibly ending their playoff dreams. With his 6th helper in as many games, Nilsson now has 9 goals and 20 assists for 29 points on 61 games. Nilsson has had 20 or more assists for the 2nd straight season. He has 11 points this season on the man advantage including 7 assists.

Los Angeles center Derek Armstrong scored his team's lone goal, unassisted, as the Kings were bested by the host Phoenix Coyotes 2-1. For the first time this season Army has had points in back-to-back contests with a goal and an assist over the last 2 games. Armstrong now has 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) on 53 games. The last time Armstrong had points in consecutive games was exactly a year prior from April 1-3, 2008. For the 6th straight year and 7th time on his career Army has notched 5+ goals on a season.

Tragedy hit Vancouver winger Taylor Pyatt on Friday but the night before he helped out in the boxscore with an assist on his team's 2nd goal as the Canucks fell to the visiting Anaheim Ducks 6-5 in a SO. Pyatt's fiancee was killed in a car accident while on vacation in Jamaica forcing him to leave the team indefinitely as of Friday. Our best wishes to Pyatt and his fiancee's family. T-Py set a mark with his latest helper recording 100 assists on his career in his 532nd game. Pyatt has 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) on 62 games. Taking the OT loss in net for the 'Nucks was goaltender Roberto Luongo. He stopped 27 of 32 shots including all 3 he faced in OT but only 1 of 2 in the SO. Lu is now 30-11-7 on the season with a .918 save percentage, a 2.39 goals against average and 7 shutouts. Over the last 6 games Luongo has been subpar with a 3-2-1 record.

Check back soon for more updates at FIW.