NHL PLAYOFFS : Canadiens Outlast Islanders

The New York Islanders finally ran out of overtime magic and the Montreal Canadiens scored a 4-3 double-overtime victory before 17,959 at the Forum on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their Wales Conference playoff series.

“I thought when we were behind, 3-2, we were dead because our bench sagged,” Montreal Coach Jacques Demers said. “But we seem to find ways to win.”

Stephan Lebeau scored his second goal of the game at 6:21 of the second overtime. Vincent Damphousse carried the puck into the Islanders’ zone from center ice and passed to Lebeau, who beat Glenn Healy with a slap shot from the top of the right circle to hand the Islanders their first overtime loss in these playoffs after four victories.

It was only the Islanders’ eighth loss in 37 overtime playoff games.

The Wales Conference final will resume with the third and fourth games in New York on Thursday and Saturday.

The Canadiens tied the score on a goal by Paul DiPietro at 14:50 of the third period. Pierre Turgeon scored a power-play goal at 13:41 of the first period to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. The Canadiens went ahead by 2-1 during the second period on goals by Brian Bellows at 5:40 and Lebeau at 9:49.

Steve Thomas tied the score for New York at 10:31 of the third period before David Volek put the Islanders ahead by 3-2 at 12:51.