Senators 2, Islanders 1: Andrew Hammond continued his red-hot play with 34 saves as visiting Ottawa gained ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Hammond improved to 9-0-1 in 10 starts for the Senators, who have points in 10 of 11 games and moved within five points of the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot. Kyle Turris scored the eventual game winner late in the second period while Matt Puempel added his second career goal.

Tyler Kennedy had the lone goal for the Islanders, who remained one point back of the rival New York Rangers for top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Jaroslav Halak turned aside 26 shots in defeat.

After a listless first period in which the Senators outshot the Islanders 9-6, Ottawa struck on the power play 6:32 into the middle frame. Mika Zibanejad skated to the top of the right circle and laid out a pass to Puempel, whose one-timer knuckled past a fooled Halak.

Turris extended the edge with 1:07 remaining in the period, redirecting captain Erik Karlsson's point shot past Halak from the right edge of the crease. Kennedy ended Hammond's shutout bid on a deflection of defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky's shot with 8:01 remaining, but Hammond held on the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Hammond had have his mask adjusted after taking a slapshot to the head from Islanders D Johnny Boychuk. ... Karlsson leads all NHL defensemen with 54 points. ... Hammond has yet to allow more than two goals in a game this season.