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The New York Islanders picked up their third straight win last night, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on the road.
New York got off to a strong start, striking first on a power play about eight minutes into the game, when Ryan Pulock’s shot was tipped in by Pierre Engvall. The initial lead didn’t last long though, and only two minutes later, the Blue Jackets tied the game off a power play goal of their own, when Kirill Marchenko found Dmitri Voronkov in-close for a tap-in. Then while the Islanders reinstated the lead shortly after when Mathew Barzal dished a great pass over to Bo Horvat for a one-timer goal, Columbus responded once again before the end of the frame, with Marchenko banking a shot in off Sorokin from behind the net, sending the game to intermission at 2-2.
The Islanders outplayed the Blue Jackets in the second period from there, outshooting Columbus 14-6 in the frame and having another power play chance to take back the lead, but it wasn’t until the third period that New York was able to pull back ahead. Early in the final frame, Barzal set up Noah Dobson with a great pass in open ice, where Dobson was able to beat Jet Greaves with a well-placed wrist shot to make it 3-2. After a failed power play opportunity for the Islanders later (and a shot off the crossbar for Horvat as well), Columbus did have a chance to tie the game with some opportunities late, but New York held on, adding an empty netter for the 4-2 win.
This was one of the Islanders’ more complete games in a while. They were obviously facing a low quality of competition, but in a game where New York couldn’t afford not to get two points, they outshot Columbus 41-27 and really outchanced them at times, not really faltering at any point. Once again, the Islanders did allow a goal on the single power play they gave up, but luckily, they’ve been able to at least reduce the number of penalties taken.
It was interesting to see New York go back to Sorokin for another start though, given how reliable Semyon Varlamov has been as of late. It was a small gamble, and you’d certainly like to see Sorokin stop that second goal, but he did come up with some big saves in the third period and still put together a good game.
Even though it was close score-wise, the win does generate a little bit more confidence in the Islanders’ postseason hopes becoming a reality. They just need consistency to put together similar efforts down the stretch.
The the win, the Islanders have successfully caught up in the playoff race, and last two spots in the East are now wide open - here’s where things stand:
- 83 points, 6 games remaining: Philadelphia Flyers
- 83 points, 6 games remaining: New York Islanders
- 82 points, 7 games remaining: Washington Capitals
- 82 points, 7 games remaining: Detroit Red Wings
The Pittsburgh Penguins are also quietly climbing back into the race after a solid stretch of hockey, sitting at 81 points with six games left.
As of now though, teams around the Islanders continue to struggle, so if New York can put up even decent results over their remaining games, they’re fairly well-positioned to sneak in. It’ll also be a big night for scoreboard watching, with all of the Flyers, Capitals and Red Wings in action.
New York now kicks off a crucial three-game homestand tomorrow, when they face the Nashville Predators.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM APRIL
- Islanders must bounce back for biggest game of season vs. Flyers
- Islanders stay alive after sweeping back-to-back set 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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