EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Islanders earned the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, beating the Devils 3–2 in a shootout yesterday to complete a sweep of their final four games.

The win triggered a wild on-ice celebration by the Islanders, seemingly out of the Stanley Cup hunt one week ago. They regrouped in front of third-string goalie Wade Dubielewicz to edge the Toronto Maple Leafs for the last playoff berth on the final day of the regular season.

Toronto finished its season Saturday night with a 6–5 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Maple Leafs had 91 points, one more than the Islanders.

The Islanders mission was simple: win, and they were in the playoffs and would face the top-seeded Buffalo Sabres.

Despite squandering a 2–0 lead in the third period, the Islanders beat the Devils in the shootout. Miroslav Satan and Viktor Kozlov, the first two shooters, scored for New York and Dubielewicz made poke saves on Brian Gionta and Sergei Brylin to send the Islanders into the postseason.

Once again, Dubielewicz was the hero. The 28-year-old goalie, playing in only his 17th NHL game, improved his record to 4–1 since being called up from the minors on March 27. The Islanders turned to him out of desperation when Mike Dunham struggled after replacing Rick DiPietro, who was sidelined for the final seven games with a concussion.

In regulation, the Islanders got two goals by Richard Park. Dubielewicz made 22 saves through regulation and overtime before making the two crucial stops in the shootout.

The Islanders caught a break when the Devils rested ironman goalie Martin Brodeur, 6–1 against the Islanders with three shutouts this season. Scott Clemmensen got the call, making only his fourth start of the season.