Strong Start, Strong Finish, Islanders Take Down Blue Jackets 5-2

ELMONT– The New York Islanders took both games against the Columbus Blue Jackets this week, as they capped off the home-and-home with a 5-2 win on Thursday night. The Islanders are now 30-27-9 on the season and now have tied Columbus in the standings.

ISLANDERS LINES

Lee–Nelson–Beavuillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise–Barzal–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Aho-Hutton

Varlamov

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sebastian Aho gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 8:39 of the first period as he sniped Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins glove side. Brock Nelson was credited with the assist on Aho’s first of the season.

Oliver Wahlstrom gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead at 8:50 of the first period as he finished off a strong pass by Zach Parise on an odd-man rush. Parise and Mathew Barzal were credited with the assists on Wahlstrom’s 13th of the season.

Emil Bemstrom put the Blue Jackets on the board as he finished off a pass to the top of the Islanders crease for his fourth of the season. Eric Robinson and Jake Bean were credited with the assists at 8:47 of the second period.

Justin Danforth tied the contest at two as Anders Lee could not stay with him as he finished off a pass to the slot for his sixth season. Vladislav Gavrikov and Yegor Chinakov were credited with the assists at 10:26 of the second period.

The Islanders retook the lead early in the third as Kyle Palmieri beat Merzlikins for his 12th of the season. Josh Bailey and Adam Pelech were credited with the assists at 3:16 of the third period.

Mathew Barzal beat Merzlikins glove side on a mini-break away to give the Islanders a 4-2 lead with 9:52 to go in the third period. Barzal’s 13th goal of the season was unassisted.

Ryan Pulock hit the empty net from the Islanders zone to give the Islanders a 5-2 lead. The goal was unassisted.

First Period Power

The New York Islanders got off to a strong start against the Columbus Blue Jackets as they scored two goals in the first period and, at one point, were outshooting their opponents 10-0.

It was a dominating performance early as the Islanders were hard on the forecheck and got every puck they could towards Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins.

Sebastian Aho showcased a beautiful wrist shot to give the Islanders the lead, and the Islanders Barzal line made it 2-0 off a strong rush that Oliver Wahlstrom finished off.

The Islanders did get a power play, which was dangerous, but the chances went by the boards.

It was a shooting gallery in the first, as the Islanders outshot the Blue Jackets 14-5 in the first period.

Islanders Honor Stan Fischler

On Thursday, ‘The Maven’ Stan Fischler celebrated his 90th birthday. And what better place to celebrate his birthday than at UBS Arena for an Islanders game.

After a break in the action during the second period, the New York Islanders honored Fischler and gave him a jersey with the no. 90 commemorating the big day.

Celebrating @StanFischler's birthday with #IslesNation tonight! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/hZRty12SKt

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 1, 2022

Second Period Blunder

The New York Islanders did not have a particularly bad second period, but it was nowhere close to what went on in the first period. The Islanders were outshot 14-10, with the two goals for the Columbus Blue Jackets coming off defensive-zone breakdowns.

Islanders defensemen Grant Hutton and Sebastian Aho seemed to be guarding the crease but somehow, no one boxed out Blue Jackets forward Emil Bemstrom, who was able to finish off the pass from the boards.

How 'bout that backhand sauce 🤤 pic.twitter.com/LGkCM1y2Y2

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 1, 2022

The second goal saw a similar breakdown, but this time, Islanders captain Anders Lee was late to pick up Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth, who buried a chance from the slot.

✨ Just(in) Danforth Things ✨ pic.twitter.com/oKvXUXjVHj

— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 1, 2022

Finish Strong

The New York Islanders entered the third period tied at two after blowing their two-goal lead in the second. But the Islanders were able to finish strong as they retook the lead thanks to Kyle Palmieri. Then Mathew Barzal gave the Islanders the important two-goal cushion less than six minutes later.

Ryan Pulock put the finishing touches on the contest with his empty-net goal with 57 seconds to play in the third period.

Quotes From: Mat Barzal, Sebastian Aho, Ryan Pulock, Kyle Palmieri, & Barry Trotz

“I mean, it’s always good to get the first goal and kind of get rolling from that. And I mean, we scored straight after again, you get the momentum going. We had, I mean, we had a great first after that. Kind of fell off a little bit in the second but stuff happens but I thought we took care of business in the third.”–Sebastian Aho

“I think it just comes down to pride. We’re professionals here, and at the end of the day, we’re building towards something that’s bigger than, you know, catching Columbus. We’re building towards winning a Stanley Cup and, you know, whenever that time comes, whenever we get that opportunity, we’re just trying to be ready for it.”–Mathew Barzal
“Yeah, for sure. There’s been a couple that have gone the other way, so (I) made sure I didn’t put myself offside on that.” –Kyle Palmieri on having a goal count.