Hockey Notebook: Islanders clinh berth; Rangers down two defenseman

"UNB! Network" Tri-State Sports Report

Rangers defenseman Dan Griardt was injured in the
team's 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on
Tuesday night. 

Islanders clinch playoff berth: The New York Islanders managed to clinch a playoff berth on Tuesday night with a 4-3 victory over the President-Trophy-winning Washington Capitals.

"He played extremely well for us," coach Jack Capuano said of Christophr Gibson, who was recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Monday and played on Tuesday after Jean-Francois Berube sustained a lower-body injury. "It just shows the confidence and poise that he has. He gave us a chance to win the game, and he was our best player tonight."

John Tavares, Thomas Hickey, Anders Lee, and Kyle Okposo scored, and Gibson made 29 saves for the Islanders.

Braden Holtby made 23 saves, Alex Ovechkin had two goals and T.J. Oshie scored for the Capitals.

The Capitals outshot the Islanders 32-27.

Rangers lose Girardi in win against Lightning: The New York Rangers' 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night wasn't all positive.

The Rangers lost defenseman Dan Girardi with only about a minute left in the game after Lightning forward Brian Byle slammed Girardi shoulder-first into the boards.

The Rangers already lost defenseman Ryan McDonagh the night before in the team's 4-2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets after McDonagh blocked a shot in the first period. McDonagh's injury prompted the recall of Brady Skjei from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.

Girardi was being evaluated after the game, but Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said the initial reports from the Rangers' medical staff were positive.