Canadiens Skate Past Isles

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 9, 1999 / 10:19 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Not even the presence of Felix Potvin could help the New York Islanders break out of their slump.

Potvin, who was acquired earlier Saturday from the Toronto Maple Leafs, watched from the bench as Stephane Quintal scored twice to help the Montreal Canadiens beat New York 3-2, stretching the Islanders' winless streak to seven games.

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"I'm happy to finally be traded," Potvin said. "But I still have a lot of good memories from Toronto. I had excellent teammates and the fans were great."

Marcel Cousineau, another former Maple Leaf, got the start in goal for the Islanders.

Potvin, who had requested a trade after the Maple Leafs signed free agent Curtis Joseph in the offseason, was dealt for defenseman Bryan Berard. The Islanders and Maple Leafs also swapped sixth-round draft choices.

While Potvin was relieved to finally find a new team, Islanders goalie Tommy Salo stayed at the team hotel upon hearing the news. Salo, who has a 2.62 goals-against average and five shutouts this season, is rumored to be on the trading block.

"I haven't really talked to (coach and general manager) Mike (Milbury) about the situation," Potvin said. "We'll see what happens. For me right now, I'm really anxious to play. We're going to skate tomorrow and we'll see what level I am at, but I want to get in there."

The trade failed to spark the Islanders, who are 0-6-1 in their last seven games.

Patrick Poulin also scored for the Canadiens, who have won six of their last sven. Sergei Nemchinov and Mark Lawrence scored for the Islanders.

Nemchinov opened the scoring late in the first period on a 2-on-1, but Quintal scored early in the second after a taking a pass from Sergei Zholtok to tie it 1-1.

The Islanders regained the lead on Lawrence's goal minutes later, but Poulin tied it again late in the second. Quintal scored the winner on a power play early in the third.

"The last time I scored two goals was in 1991 and I remember it well," said Quintal, who has three goals this season. "I was playing for Boston against Detroit. The only reason I remember it was that I fought with Bob Probert."

Canadiens goaltender Jeff Hackett made 21 saves.

"Hackett's been doing the job," Montreal coach Alain Vigneault said. "But I'm still not too happy. I'm sure that we can show more offensively."