DETROIT, March 27 (UPI) -- Joey MacDonald made 42 saves Friday to record the first shutout of his NHL career and bring the New York Islanders an unexpected 2-0 decision over Detroit.
The Islanders, who had lost their previous three games, had not faced the Red Wings in three seasons.
Frans Nielsen and Josh Bailey provided the goals for New York, which rode the sensational goaltending of MacDonald to pick up what was likely its most rewarding victory of the season.
The Islanders have the fewest number of points in the NHL and the Red Wings are tied with San Jose for the most points.
Chris Osgood stopped 28 shots for Detroit, which was shut out for only the second time this season.
Detroit took 19 shots in the third period. Johan Franzen hit the post with four of his shots in the game and twice in the final period.
The Islanders had not shut out Detroit in 28 years.
The Red Wings are one win shy of reaching 50 victories for the season. They would join Montreal and Boston as the only teams in league history to reach the 50-win plateau in four consecutive years.
