Hayward Gets First Shutout in Four Years as the Canadiens Get Past Islanders, 3-0

Goaltender Brian Hayward recorded his first shutout in four years as the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Islanders, 3-0, in the only game played in the National Hockey League Monday night.

Hayward, whose last shutout was against the Buffalo Sabres on March 9, 1983, had an easy night, stopping 23 shots.

Gaston Gingras and Ryan Walter scored in the second period, and Claude Lemieux scored his 25th goal in the third period to pace the Canadiens to their first win in three games against the Islanders this season.

Gingras ripped a slapshot behind Islander goaltender Billy Smith on the Canadiens’ first shot of the period for his 11th goal.

Walter caught Smith out of position and slid a shot into an open net late in the period.

Lemieux blasted a slapshot past Smith’s at 8:54 of the third period.

The victory moved the Canadiens within five points of the Adams Division-leading Hartford Whalers. Montreal has 76 points, three more than the third-place Boston Bruins.

The Islanders are in second place in the Patrick Division with 72 points, 18 behind the Philadelphia Flyers and two ahead of the New York Rangers.