Islanders' special teams comes up big in win over Blue Jackets

Bo Horvat scored twice in the second period Monday night for the host New York Islanders, who beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in Elmont, N.Y.

Simon Holmstrom's short-handed goal in the second proved to be the game-winner for the Islanders, who have won two straight to improve to 2-2-0 on a season-high seven-game homestand. New York (45 points) is within seven points of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Mathew Barzal had the primary assist on both of Horvat's goals and Jean-Gabriel Pageau set up Holmstrom's tally. Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves for the Islanders.

Kent Johnson scored early in the first period for the Blue Jackets, who have lost two in a row (0-1-1) following a six-game winning streak. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 22 shots.

New York's Anders Lee was whistled for tripping at 4:16 of the first period to generate the power play that yielded Johnson's goal 36 seconds later. Johnson's shot sailed glove side of Sorokin as he was screened by 6-foot-5 Columbus left winger Dmitri Voronkov.

The Islanders took control early in the second by scoring three times in a 5:04 span. Barzal and Horvat connected for the first time 43 seconds into the period, when Barzal shuffled the puck behind the net before sending a pass to Horvat, who went to one knee and fired a shot over Merzlikins' glove.

New York generated the go-ahead and insurance goals on special teams.

The Blue Jackets got their second power play when Casey Cizikas was called for tripping 1:31 into the middle period, but Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski slipped at the blue line at the edge of the Blue Jackets' zone.

Pageau picked up the puck and raced up the ice before dishing to Holmstrom, who beat a sprawling Merzlikins for the short-handed tally at the 2:57 mark.

Barzal and Horvat hooked up again at the end of a power play at 5:47. Barzal started at the left faceoff circle and skated around the ice, shedding Werenski and Sean Kuraly along the way, before he passed from behind the net to Horvat, who again went to one knee before scoring.

--Field Level Media