from Arthur Staple of Newsday,

The Islanders needed two points, and they got what they needed Friday night.

But when John Tavares limped off the ice with 3:14 remaining, it might have been the real end to their season, even as they kept their fading postseason hopes alive at Barclays Center.

It was an ugly 2-1 win in which the Islanders received 10 power plays from the sloppy Devils, who threw pucks over the glass and threw high sticks with equal abandon all night.

Anders Lee scored on the power play in the first period, Anthony Beauvillier scored at even strength in the second off a nifty feed from Josh Ho-Sang and Jaroslav Halak was sharp, making 26 saves as the Isles pulled within four points of the Bruins with five games to go.

That may all be moot, however. Tavares got tangled up with Devils defenseman Steve Santini behind the New Jersey net on the eighth Islanders power play and awkwardly tried to step through. Tavares appeared to catch his skate in a rut and immediately grabbed his left hamstring, going to the ice and needing help from his teammates to make it off the rink.

Doug Weight had no update after the game other than to say he’s hopeful — though also preparing to need another body for tomorrow’s game in Buffalo.

“It’s a big blow any time you see your best player in distress,” Weight said after his team snapped a three-game losing streak and a five-game losing skid at home. “We’re going to need a guy to come up, step in and contribute, and we need the guys who were better tonight to keep pulling the rope.”

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Video of the injury is below...